THIEF TACKLED TO THE FLOOR BY CUSTOMERS

Officer was headbutted during arrest

SHOPLIFTER Christopher O’connor threatened a shopkeeper who challenged him for stealing from his store.

The 42-year-old became aggressive and chased the victim during the incident at Dresden Convenience Store.

He was tackled to the floor by customers at the Carlisle Street shop, who restrained him until police arrived.

North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard O’connor then headbutted a police officer who had been called there.

Prosecutor Karen Wright said O’connor had taken 10 packs of Cathedral City cheese from the Premier store.

She said: “As he left the store, he also selected a drink. He did not offer any payment.

“The shopkeeper then saw him passing the shop 10 minutes later. He confronted

Mr O’connor and requested he return the cheese.

“He refused and the shopkeeper took the bag forcibly from the defendant’s hands to recover the items. The defendant then tried to punch the victim but did not make contact.

“The victim ran back into the store. The defendant gave chase and knocked over and broke a number of bottles.”

The court heard the shopkeeper feared for his safety and locked himself behind the counter.

Ms Wright said: “The defendant was hostile towards the victim. He was taken to the ground by customers in the store and restrained until police arrived.

“When an officer arrived, the defendant was arrested. The defendant headbutted the officer to the right cheek.”

O’connor, of Albert Street, Newcastle, was taken to custody and interviewed. He went on to plead guilty to charges of assaulting an emergency worker, using threatening, insulting or abusive words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of or provoke unlawful violence, theft and criminal damage.

Mike Kimberley, mitigating, said O’connor was going through a bad time when the incident happened on August 3. “He is partially sighted. He had been told his eyesight is deteriorating,” he added.

“People took advantage of him and stole his money and credit cards. He went out that day with the intention to steal to get some food.”

District Judge Marcus Waite said the offence was so serious that a pre-sentence report by the Probation Service would be required before O’connor could be sentenced.

The case was adjourned until December 15, when O’connor will learn his fate.