A thug who slashed a shopkeeper's leg when he tried to stop him stealing cleaning products has walked free.
James Hall was spotted helping himself to items in a Gateshead convenience store and when attempts were made to prevent him from fleeing, he lashed out with a knife, causing a large gash to the victim's knee which needed stitches.
A court heard it happened around 6.15pm on July 4 after Hall's suspicious behaviour had caught the attention of the shopkeeper. He began monitoring him on CCTV and approached him when he went in a camera blind spot.
