SHOP staff pinned a thief to the floor and waited for police to arrive after making a citizen's arrest at a York store.

Staff at Costcutter, in Heworth Road, challenged the man after they said he was seen putting a box of washing-up tablets under his arm.

Then, as he tried to run, two staff members grabbed him and locked him in the shop until police arrived.

The shoplifter, Philip Mitchell, 31, of the Arc Light Centre in Leeman Road, York, has been given a 12-month conditional discharge by York magistrates after pleading guilty to the theft. He was also ordered to pay £50 costs.

Store manager Muhammad Afzal said he hoped the incident would serve as a warning to other would-be thieves.

Shop assistant Sajid Shah saw the man enter the shop just before 6pm on Thursday, and watched him on the shop's CCTV system.

When the man tried to leave, Mr Shah challenged him and asked to check his coat.

The man then offered to pay for some goods, urging Mr Shah to let him go. But Mr Afzal called the police and locked the door to stop him escaping.

The incident took a dramatic turn when Mr Afzal opened the door to let other customers leave. The man made a run for the door, and was grabbed by Mr Afzal and Mr Shah.

Mr Afzal, 22, said: "He was trying to run and my colleague and I cornered him, and when he was halfway through the door we got him on the floor.

"I was trying to stay in control and stay calm, but I was prepared if he got violent," he said.

Mr Afzal also said he hoped potential shoplifters would be deterred by their actions.

"It's nice to see someone who does this get caught.

"We've caught a few in the last few weeks, and this should go as a warning to everyone, not just for this store but everywhere."

Updated: 09:58 Monday, August 01, 2005