THIEVES trying to steal perfume from a Farnworth supermarket pulled a knife on a security guard and have-a-go-hero shopper, a court heard.

As thieves Shahzad Khan and Mohammed Sheikh were tackled by the pair outside Asda in Brackley Street, Farnworth, Sheikh was heard to tell his accomplice: “F*** it, get the knife”.

A jury at Bolton Crown Court was told that Khan pulled a flick knife from his pocket, but fumbled to open it.

Sheikh, aged 54, of Cawdor Street, Farnworth admits he was at the store but denies robbery. He has already pleaded guilty to theft from the supermarket on a different day

Khan, aged 43, of Campbell Court, Farnworth, denies robbery and possessing a flick knife, claiming he was not at the supermarket.

Iain Simkin, prosecuting, told the jury heard how security guard Rhys Wilson was on duty at Asda on October 23, 2018, at 7pm and watching CCTV when he noticed a man filling a shopping basket with items from the beauty aisle before he tried to walk out of the store.

When challenged, Sheikh said he was going to pay for the goods and walked back around the fruit and veg aisles.

In the meantime Mr Wilson told how he was approached by a shorter man, said to be Khan.

“He said he had previously been banned from Asda and could I get the manager so he could speak to him,” said Mr Wilson.

“I formed the view that he was trying to distract me because as soon as the other man had left the store he stopped mid-sentence and walked away.”

But the thieves did not count on a shopper near the front door who, along with Mr Wilson, chased the pair.

Perfume bottles fell from a carrier bag as it split in a scuffle near the trolley bay.

“There was a bit of a tussle,” said Mr Wilson who added that, as Sheikh headed towards the customer he shouted to his accomplice, “F*** it, get the knife”.

Mr Wilson added: “The customer and me started to approach the short man to ask for the items back when he produced the knife from his pocket.

“He struggled to get the blade from the handle. He demanded the items we had and he eventually backed off and left.”

The pair got away with just two bottle of perfume, worth £80.

The court heard that Sheikh and Khan were seen in the store again a few days later on November 8 during which Sheikh stole more goods. Khan denies he was there.

Then, on November 22 Mr Wilson was outside the shop on a break when he was approached by Khan.

Khan asked Mr Wilson about getting his friend arrested and he offered to fight Mr Wilson. The trial continues.