Police are hunting a Frenchman who hurled wedges of Camembert cheese at supermarket staff after he failed to appear at court.

Suspected shoplifter Bernard Conche, 67, got involved in the argument in a branch of Waitrose when security guards spotted him loading up his trolley.

He then used his trolley as a battering ram to hit duty manager Kimberly Taynor, 31, as he tried to evade capture.

Conche was due to be sentenced yesterday morning but failed to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

A warrant was issued for his arrest.