A WEST Cumbrian scaffolder assaulted and threatened to "bite the face off" Tesco staff, a court heard.

Peter Ellwood, 32, of Seven Acres, Parton, pleaded guilty to assaulting the Whitehaven store's manager, Philip O'Connell and a security guard, Richard Myres on September 9.

He was given a four-month curfew and ordered to pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge at Workington Magistrates Court.

Prosecuting, Pamela Fee, said Ellwood, who had been drinking, told the victims he was going to "bite their face off" and pushed them.

She said: "The defendant has gone to the store to buy alcohol at around 7pm but, because he appeared to be intoxicated and slurring his words, the manager has refused to serve him."

The court then heard Ellwood walked off, bought some pasta from the store and sat outside for ten minutes.

Ms Fee said the defendant walked back in to the store and told the security guard: "You're not going to stop me."

She said Mr Myres followed Ellwood as he headed to the spirits aisle where the defendant "became aggressive" and pushed the security guard.

The court heard Mr Myres called Mr O'Connell over, who was also pushed after he asked the defendant to leave and tried to restrain him.

Ms Fee said the defendant told the victims at this point that he was going to "bite their face off".

Mike Pope, defending, said his client, a scaffolder by trade, was "between jobs" and had "too much time on his hands when he is not working".

The court heard Ellwood had been out drinking with friends on the day.

Magistrates said the offence "crossed the custodial threshold" but felt a community order would "better protect the public" and keep Ellwood "out of trouble".