A Witney shop assistant was threatened by a man brandishing a syringe and claiming to have the deadly Aids virus.

Mike Byrne, 58, who lives on the Smiths estate in Witney, was on his own in the Star newsagent and off-licence in Bridge Street at 2.30pm on Saturday.

Mr Byrne said: "He came in like a normal customer coming to buy something, then came up to me and said 'I've got Aids and want the money out both of the tills'.

"He then produced the needle and at that point I legged it up the stairs to get the manager. I've never seen him before in my life but I'd know him again. The police say I have given them a very good description. This has shaken me up and I am finding it difficult to sleep."

While Mr Byrne was upstairs the man snatched cigarettes worth £37.

Shop manager Andrew Reynolds said: "Mike was pretty shaken by it. You don't expect a man to come in off the street in Witney with a needle saying he had got Aids."

The man was white, aged between 17 and 20, very thin and wearing a woolly hat. Anyone with information should call Dc Mick Jenks on 08458 505505

or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.