A HEROIN addict sprayed a supermarket security guard with a syringe of blood which he claimed was contaminated with the Aids virus, a court heard yesterday

Paul Cunnington, 32, returned to the Asda store, in Boldon, South Tyneside, intending to use the syringe after he was thrown out the previous day by security staff.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Cunnington went into the store on January 7 wielding the blood-filled syringe. He told staff it was "full of Aids" and he intended to use it.

Cunnington was tackled by security guard Barry Grimwood, but during the struggle Mr Grimwood was sprayed with the blood.

Penny Moreland, prosecuting, told the court Mr Grimwood was left terrified after the threats made by Cunnington.

After he was arrested, Cunnington first claimed the syringe was filled with red food colouring.

But it was later discovered he had been injecting himself with heroin and the syringe was full of his blood which was infected with the Hepatitis C virus.

Cunnington, of Charles Street, Boldon Colliery, admitted a charge of affray.

He also admitted breach of the peace and carrying offensive weapons on a previous occasion.

He was arrested in December last year outside his ex-girlfriend's home in Galsworthy Road, South Shields, with a cut-throat razor and a throwing knife after making threats to attack her new partner.

Jonathan Wilkinson, for Cunnington, told the court that his offending was due to physical and mental problems after abusing drugs since the age of 13.

Judge Guy Whitburn placed Cunnington on probation for two years.

In passing sentence, he told Cunnington: "This is a very serious offence.

"You squirted a member of the security staff with a blood-filled syringe and were making threats at the same time.

"It must have been a terrifying experience for that man, and for him to learn you were suffering from an infectious disease must have confirmed those fears."