Death-threat mum is conditionally discharged

Guilty of stealing £400 of goods from Asda

A MUM who threatened to kill a supermarket manager when she was caught stealing a trolley full of groceries has been conditionally discharged.

Her husband who attempted to rescue her from security before assaulting a staff member at Hinckley’s Asda store was given the same sentence.

Sarah Cooney, 40, was found guilty of stealing goods worth nearly £400 and assault by beat- ing following a trial at Hinckley Magistrates’ Court on May 24.

Craig Warden, 45, was found guilty at the same trial of assault by beating and obstructing a constable in execution of his duty by giving a false name when arrested.

The court was told Cooney tried to walk out of the Barwell Lane supermarket with a trolley load of goods on February 2.

When she was caught she became “very aggressive” and kicked store manager Ato Stephens in the groin before threatening to kill him, Morag Lawrie, prosecuting, said.

While detained by security she sent a text message to her partner Warden saying “help”.

CCTV footage showed a hooded Warden running into the store shouting “get off my missus” before bulldozing through security and grabbing Mr Stephens by the collar of his jacket.

Cooney, of Poole Road, Coventry, and Warden of Sadler Road, Coventry, were conditionally discharged on all charges for 12 months at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on June 6.

The pair were ordered to pay £100 in compensation to Mr Stephens, a £15 victim surcharge and £250 in costs each.

They denied all charges and insisted they acted in selfdefence.