A HOMELESS man who assaulted a checkout girl as he tried to steal cash from a supermarket till may face a jail term.

Sergio Nobre Simoes, 37, tried to grab money from a till from the Brunel Centre branch of Sainsbury's as he waited for a penny in change. As he tried to grab the money, shop worker, Anika Moore slammed the till shut on his hand and Simoes reacted by pushing and shoving her. Nobre Simoes had gone into the store shortly before 6pm last Tuesday and tried to buy a 32p bar of chocolate with 30p.

He was told he did not have enough so he settled to buy a packet of chewing gum for 29p.

"As she was about to hand over the change he leaned over and tried to grab the cash from the cash till.

"Instinctively she slammed the till shut with his hand inside," said Frank Murphy, prosecuting.

Nobre Simoes then attempted to flee the store empty handed, but was caught by store security and the police were called.

When first questioned, he denied showing any violence but later accepted he had.

Nicola Jennings, defending said: "He said he made a grab for the till to get his change. He said he would have grabbed more than 1p and he would have kept that."

He pleaded guilty to attempted theft and assault. Adjourning the matter, Maureen Cherryman, chairwoman of the bench, said: "You used violence whilst attempting to take money. We feel this is so serious you may go to prison."

Nobre Simoes was released on bail to report to the police station three times a week. He is due to reappear in court on May 13.