A man attempting to steal four chocolate bars from B&M brandished a pair of scissors at security staff who tried to stop him.
James Thompson appeared at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to two counts of common assault, one count of theft, one count of possession of class B drugs and two counts of possession of Class A drugs. Laura Simpson, prosecuting, told the court that on March 3, Kyle Williams was working as a security officer at B&M in Clayton Square, when he was approached by a male informing him that Thompson was stashing items into a carrier bag.
Mr Williams reviewed the CCTV and confirmed a theft was taking place. He went outside the store and saw the 44-year-old defendant nearby, so approached him and escorted him back inside the store.
READ MORE: Criminals serving city's longest sentences as Thomas Cashman jailed for 42 years
Thompson began to struggle, so the security officer took hold of him and showed showed him into the office, where Laura Sloane, another B&M employee was present to assist Mr Williams. Ms Simpson said: “The defendant then started to become mouthy with both of them.
“He stepped towards Mr Williams, and fearing he was going to be assaulted, he pushed him back. The defendant then reached across the desk, picked up a pair of scissors, held them by the handle and pointed them in the direction of both victims.”
Mr Williams grabbed Thompson, took him to the floor and threw the scissors away, but suffered a cut to his hand during the altercation. A victim personal statement written by Mr Williams was read by the prosecution, and detailed the incident has left him “constantly looking over his shoulder”.
It read: “Before this I was always reluctant to wear a stab proof vest, but I now wear one more often. I do not come to work to be subjected to violence, this incident made me angry that someone was willing to assault me with a weapon.”
A victim personal statement written by Ms Sloane was also read to the court. She said: “Immediately following the incident I felt very panicky and nervous about what had happened.
“It was a shock to have someone pull a weapon on me. I immediately feared for my life.”
Ms Simpson also detailed that on June 15, 2021, police officers spotted Thompson in Liverpool get out of a taxi and enter an address. He later exited and got back into the same taxi, which police followed.
When he exited the taxi again at a new location, police searched him and found a brown wrap of heroin and several wraps of cocaine. During the police interview, he said the drugs were for personal use and denied being concerned in supply.
Thompson has four previous convictions for shoplifting, but the most recent was in 2016. David Achilles, defending, said his client has “taken full responsibility for his actions” and shown genuine remorse.
He said Thompson had only taken four chocolate bars, and when asked by security, immediately handed them over. Mr Achilles said an argument was caused after Mr Williams attempted to further search Thompson, which “should have been left to police”.
Mr Achilles said: “Mr Thompson was pushed into a wall, he feared he was going to be assaulted. The scissors were immediately to hand, and he did threaten them, but he very quickly came to his senses and put the scissors down.
“It is something he bitterly regrets and apologises for, it’s as simple as that.” Mr Achilles also detailed that Thompson is taking steps to battle his drug addiction, and has reconciled with his close family members.
Thompson, of Villaggio Hotel, Warrington, was sentenced to 20 weeks imprisonment suspended for 18 months, ordered to complete 30 rehabilitation activity days, and must pay £200 in compensation to each victim. He was also told not to enter any B&M store for 18 months, and forfeiture and destruction of the drugs seized was ordered.
READ NEXT
Join the Liverpool ECHO's WhatsApp community for breaking news and top headlines
Mum-of-four who 'lived for her kids' dies suddenly at home
Morrisons selling 55p product that kills weeds 'instantly'
Air ambulance lands in play park as child dies
John Lewis shoppers 'very impressed' with £33 'bargain summer dress'
