A MAN armed with a catapult threatened to shoot his victim in the face during an attempted robbery outside a Hampshire supermarket.

A van driver was visiting a recycling area when the would-be robber leapt into the vehicle and held the catapult just inches from his victim’s eyes.

He demanded money and issued more threats after the motorist said he was not carrying any cash.

Police investigating the incident say the driver scrambled out of the van, locking his attacker inside, and ran to get help.

When he returned with supermarket security staff the offender had escaped by smashing a window, leaving his victim shocked but unhurt.

The incident happened outside the Asda superstore in Maynard Road, Totton.

A police spokesman said a 24-year-old man from Romsey was driving a white Ford Connect van when he was held up.

The spokesman added: “He’d gone to Asda to deposit some items in the recycling area and didn’t have any cash on him, but a man got into the vehicle, threatened him with a catapult and demanded money.

“The aggrieved thought it was a joke, but the other man pulled the catapult right back.

“The driver then got out of the van, locked the suspect inside and went for help.

When he returned the suspect had broken the front passenger window and escaped with an accomplice.”

Police say the victim was unable to tell if the catapult was armed with a stone or any other object.

It happened at the western end of the Asda car park, near the Esso petrol station at the junction of Maynard Road and Ringwood Road.

“The van was blocking the road while the driver went for help,” said the spokesman.

“There were other vehicles there at the time, so someone must have seen what happened.”

The attempted robbery occurred last Friday at 1pm.

Anyone who witnessed the hold-up should call Lyndhurst CID on 101.

• A 22-year-old Southampton man has been arrested in connection with the incident and bailed until July 11, pending further inquiries.