Bristol man stole from shops and threatened staff

A DRUG addict who repeatedly plundered stores and resisted arrest has been jailed for 27 months.

Danny King bit one store manager and threatened to stab others as he helped himself to goods to fund his habit, Bristol Crown Court was told.

The court heard he had 37 previous convictions for 92 offences and had consistently squandered chances designed to help him address issues.

King, 26, of Overhill Road, Bristol, pleaded guilty to six counts of shoplifting, two assaults, two of using threatening words and one of possessing an offensive weapon.

Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk

myprint-247

View details

Print voucher

Our heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.

Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk

Contact: 01858 468192

Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013

Judge Mark Horton told him: "I have a public duty to protect members of the public from the escalation of offences that you appear to be committing."

Robert Reid, prosecuting, outlined a spate of incidents in which King was seen shoplifting and was aggressive when challenged.

When delivery driver Ryan Evans saw him placing meat into his bag and clothes at the Coop store in Downend, King threatened him. A week later, at the same store, he refused to show a receipt and told staff "get out the way, I'll stab you".

Mr Reid said King ran out of luck at Morrison's in Fishponds, a fortnight later, after placing £77.99 worth of spirits in his rucksack. Mr Reid told the court: "He was stopped by the manager and he said 'If you don't get out of my way I'm going to stab you'. There was a struggle and a member of the public got him on the floor and shop staff detained him."

The court heard King was charged and released on bail, but failed to attend court.

He was then spotted stealing at Wilkinson's in Kingswood, and ran off, only to return five minutes later and threaten to poke someone's eyes out.

Six days later after stealing wine and being grabbed at Sainsbury's in Fishponds, he pulled out pliers before biting manager David Dunton.

Catherine Spedding, defending, said: "He is now 26 and he has decided he is to stop using drugs." She said her client had been released from a 20-week sentence in August and had good intentions but split from his long-term partner and relapsed.