A TERRIFIED shop worker had to hit a panic button when a drunken thug took a swing at him with a hammer.

James Wilson, 27, launched a chewing-gum stand at his victim before repeatedly attempting to attack him with the weapon.

Police raced to the convenience store in Glasgow's Gallowgate and arrested the accused for his brutish behaviour.

The incident happened on June 23, 2018.

Wilson's lawyer told Glasgow Sheriff Court this week: "It must have been very frightening for the complainer."

The accused – described as a "chronic alcoholic" – had been doing well, but then "fell off the wagon" and lost his job after ending up in hospital.

The defence agent claimed Wilson had come a long way since the offence, stating: "He's in a very much different place."

Sheriff Mary McCrory told the court she "couldn't be criticised" for imposing a jail sentence, but instead placed Wilson on a Restriction of Liberty Order – in which he will have to remain at home between the hours of 7pm and 7am for four months.

The accused, of Tollcross Road, was also sentenced to a Community Payback Order with supervision for a year and 230 hours of unpaid work to be completed within eight months.