A PROLIFIC shoplifter is behind bars for kicking a police officer in the head after he tried to steal three bottles of vodka.

Andrew Gorman, aged 29, of Langthorne Walk, Deane, was spotted shoplifting three bottles of Smirnoff Vodka from Morrisons at 3.15pm on June 19 after one fell out of his tracksuit bottoms.

Security guards called the police, but after officers tried to put him in the back of a police van he ‘lashed out’, kicking a police officer three times in the head, Bolton Magistrates Court heard yesterday (WED).

Gorman pleaded guilty to the assault and theft, which was worth a total of £65.98.

He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison for the assault, plus two weeks for the theft to be served consecutively.

Sentencing, magistrate Joan Cooper said she recognised Gorman and was disappointed to see him in court again.

“I was hoping I wouldn’t see you again”, she added.

“You are a young man with a lot ahead of you. Stop making these mistakes.”