Watch shocking footage as thug launches brutal attack on Sunderland shop worker with metal pole

Scott Wilson left sales assistant Mark Beveridge covered in blood after hitting him with a metal pole in the One Stop Shop on Harbour View in Sunderland.

The 30-year-old then continued the attack on the victim by punching him a number of times to the nose, cheek and chest.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Wilson entered the store and told Mr Beveridge that he had been the victim of a robbery.

Wilson then aggressively asked whether or not they were going to get the police and was told to leave.

Joe Culley, prosecuting, told the court how Wilson's behaviour led Mr Beveridge to press the panic button, which alerted security staff.

He told the court how Wilson fell into the display stand and knocked it over.

He then picked up a metal pole from the stand and began repeatedly hitting Mr Beveridge with it.Mr Culley said: "Mr Beveridge was having to raise his arms to protect his head.

"Another witness describes that as 'complete frenzy'."

In a victim impact statement, read to the court by Mr Culley, Mr Beveridge said he was struggling to sleep properly since the incident and was suffering from flashbacks.

The court heard how the offence took place after Wilson entered the shop between 10.15pm and 10.30pm on May 20.Wilson, who fled the scene, was identified by a police officer who was attending a separate incident.Mr Culley said that when he was interviewed, Wilson told officers that he couldn't really remember assaulting the victim.He said he had been to the beach where he consumed 12 cans of lager.Wilson, of Kensington Terrace, Gateshead, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm.Rachel Hedworth, defending, told the court how Wilson had lost his five year job as a labourer for Taylor Wimpey after his offence was reported in the media.

After watching CCTV footage of the incident, Judge Robert Adams described the assault as "sudden" and "brutal".

Wilson was sentenced to 12 months in prison.