AN estranged husband went berserk in a Worcester supermarket during a confrontation with his wife.

David Smith left a security guard with a split lip after headbutting him as Sainsbury's staff tried to restrain him.

The confrontation became so violent, security guards from Marks & Spencer in the High Street and two police officers had to race to the scene.

Droitwich magistrates heard yesterday how Smith snapped after financial difficulties led his wife Wendy to move out unexpectedly.

Smith, aged 51, had been teetotal for nearly 15 years following a previous alcohol problem.

But he drowned his sorrows in a bottle of sherry and more than a litre of brandy before going in search of his wife at work.

Reaching the Lychgate Centre supermarket, he headed for the manager's office, threatening to assault staff and kick the door down.

Julian Harris, prosecuting, said staff member John Mercer called for help via the CityNet radio link before security men David Sutton and David Woolf arrived.

Smith attacked the pair, butting Mr Sutton in the mouth, before heading out of the store.

The three men then heard Mrs Smith - who had slipped into the ladies' toilets in the Lychgate car park - calling for help.

Smith had found her, storming into the toilets to haul her out by the wrist and yelling "I am going to kill you!"

Mrs Smith then locked herself into the car park's baby-changing room before Smith was overpowered and arrested.

Smith, now reconciled with his wife and living in Mayfield Road, off Rainbow Hill, admitted two counts of assault, one of actual bodily harm and one of affray.

Barry Newton, defending, said his client's behaviour was totally out of character.

In the months leading up to the outburst on Saturday, April 7, mounting debts led to increasing disputes between Smith and his wife.

When Mrs Smith moved out, her husband found himself alone in their house in Poplar Avenue, Brickfields, for the first time in 28 years.

"He took solace in drink and drank to excess," said Mr Newton.

"The only point of contact in that setting was her place of work. He went there, which was the worst decision he could have made."

Mr Newton added that Smith was "genuinely remorseful" about the assaults.

Magistrates imposed a community punishment and rehabilitation order on Smith and ordered him to pay £300 compensation to Mr Sutton and £100 to Mr Woolf as well as £60 costs.