A SECURITY guard ran over a suspected shoplifter after mounting the pavement, a court heard.

Stephen Johnson, 27, was then said to have slashed himself, after an altercation with thief Steven Quinn, near the Asda store in St Helens Road, Bolton, to make his own injuries appear worse.

A Bolton Crown Court judge has now told Johnson he faces a likely jail sentence for his actions.

Judge Graeme Smith was told Johnson, 27, of Harrogate Road, Stockport, was working for a private security firm contracted by Asda when he chased after a thief on July 25, 2018.

He chased Steven Quinn across the Asda Daubhill Supermarket car park and nearby roads, after the man stole a bottle of spirit from the shop, the court heard.

And after a short chase s,hortly before 9pm, Johnson claimed he was slashed during an altercation with three men, including Quinn and another man called Daniel Lee.

Johnson returned to the scene with a van, before mounting the pavement in St Helens Road and hitting Quinn, CCTV footage showed.

Quinn was flipped over some street barriers and suffered minor injuries to his leg, but was able to retrieve a part of the van's wing mirror and return to the Asda store, where police were called.

Johnson told the court he "had no intention of hurting them" and "literally wanted to scare them", but admitted his driving was dangerous.

Prosecutor Robert Hall said: "In short, the action of the van passing caused some bruising to Mr Quinn's left leg. The van was driven quite clearly at the two men."

Ian Metcalfe, defending, said that Johnson had gone out in his van to find them and take a photo of them for future prosecution.

He also cited Johnson's "good character" and Mr Quinn's and Mr Lee's "bad characters" - each has multiple criminal convictions.

Regarding the slashing, Judge Smith said that it had to be determined whether Johnson "has completely fabricated the assault or if he has suffered an injury which he has significantly exaggerated."

He ruled that none of the initial wounds were inflicted by a third party - and a 'third man' other than Lee and Quinn "did not exist".

Johnson said that he scratched himself with his own fingernails at Bolton police station to make his injuries appear more serious because he was "scared, stupid and panicking."

Johnson also told police that he had been "slashed repeatedly" by one of the men during the initial chase - saying he was worried the police wouldn't do anything if it was less serious.

He said two scratches had been inflicted upon him, with the rest done by himself.

Judge Smith said: "I am quite sure he was not assaulted in any way and that he suffered no injury whatsoever."

He cited Johnson's different accounts including during his 999 call, his witness statement and in court.

Johnson had admitted to attempted grievous bodily harm, attempting to pervert the course of justice, possessing cannabis and dangerous driving.

He was bailed for pre-sentence reports and will be dealt with at the same court in March.