A STORE manager trying to make a citizen's arrest was knocked to the floor by an irate customer as shoppers looked on, a court was told.

Tony Cox began swearing at Sainsbury's manager Mark Jones when he was told he could not exchange a DVD.

Worcester Magistrates Court heard how Cox, aged 54, then grabbed hold of Mr Jones by the scruff of the neck after the manager attempted a citizen's arrest.

The court was told how Cox shoved Mr Jones away, causing him to hit his head on a customer services desk before falling to the floor.

Magistrates heard that Cox's 17-year-old son bought his father the DVD but Cox had already been given the same copy by his mother-in-law.

Mr Jones, who was on his last day at work at the Blackpole supermarket, on Friday, February 8, had to be taken to casualty for bruising and swelling to his head.

"He got hold of my collar or jacket, forced me away from him forward and downward," said Mr Smith at the trial yesterday.

"I hit the right temple of my head. It hurt quite a bit at the time.

"He started to swear from the very start, his face was one or two inches away, right up against mine."

Claire Barbour, who was in the store, said she saw Mr Jones flung on to the customer service desk.

Charles Hardy, prosecuting, said Mr Jones had to make a citizen's arrest because he feared for his safety.

Cox, of Randwick Close, Warndon, denied causing disorderly behaviour and denied assault by beating.

Ian Speed, defending, said it was not assault or battery for the defendant to free himself from someone detaining him.

The defendant said Mr Jones started "doing his nut" when he said he wanted to exchange the DVD.

"He said he was making a citizen's arrest. He grabbed hold of my right arm and started twisting it," said Cox.

"I broke free and then all hell broke lose. Someone twisted my left arm and the staff all came round me."

Magistrates found Cox guilty of causing alarm and distress and guilty of assault by beating. They ordered a pre-sentence report and adjourned the case until Monday, July 1.