A SECURITY guard who overpowered a desperate drug addict threatening him with a hypodermic needle has been publicly commended by a judge and given a financial reward.

Brave Paul Foster wrestled fleeing shoplifter Justin Fisher to the ground at Bradford's Forster Square Retail Park moments after he had pulled the needle on the manager of Bargain Buys.

Fisher, 32, of no fixed address, was in the grip of such a raging drug addiction that he looked like "a frail old man," Bradford Crown Court heard today.

He was jailed for a total of 18 months by Judge Mark Savill who awarded Mr Foster £200 from public funds.

Fisher was on police bail at the time after being arrested on December 19 for stealing meat worth £45 from Marks & Spencer in Bradford's Broadway shopping centre.

He then failed to show up for a drugs assessment appointment in Shipley four days later, prosecutor Camille Morland told the court.

On December 30, Fisher was spotted by security staff in Bargain Buys putting air fresheners into a bag.

When he was challenged by store manager, Andrew Midgley, he pulled out the hypodermic needle and threatened him with it.

Mr Midgley backed off, fearing Fisher would stab him if he tried to apprehend him.

Fisher ran out of the shop but was seen by Mr Foster, a security officer at another store, who was walking to work.

He knew Fisher and guessed he had been shoplifting.

Fisher held out the needle, saying: "I've got this," but Mr Foster grabbed his arms and forced him to the ground. He then detained him until the police arrived.

Fisher admitted to officers that he "pulled the pin" and threatened the men so that he could escape.

He pleaded guilty to two offences of theft, making unlawful and intentional threats with a hypodermic needle and failing to attend for a drugs assessment.

The court heard that he had 38 previous convictions for shoplifting, low level violence and breach of court orders.

Fisher's barrister, Jayne Beckett, said he had battled serious addictions to drugs and alcohol for many years.

"His life has been just a chaotic mess, frankly. He hasn't been in any way able to sort himself out," she said.

Since being remanded in custody, Fisher was off illegal drugs and was working with health professionals to recover and move on.

"He is full of disgust and remorse for producing a needle on two occasions," Mrs Beckett said.