Staff threatened by thief with needle

A SHAMELESS crook repeatedly brandished a needle and threatened to stab shop staff who tried to stop him walking out with stolen goods.

Craig Gallacher targeted four different stores for gift sets, a power drill and meat before threatening workers who tried to stop him shoplifting.

The lout was jailed after pleading guilty to committing the offences between February 9-16.

Dundee Sheriff Court heard Gallacher shouted: “**** off I’ve got a needle. I’ll stab you,” at Boots staff member James Dawson.

Mr Dawson was advised by another member of staff that Gallacher had left the shop at Kingsway Retail Park without paying for two bathing sets. Gallacher was pursued before he turned round and unleashed the threats to stab Mr Dawson. He then pulled out the needle and brandished it before fleeing.

Two days later, the 35-year-old behaved in a similar fashion at B&Q on King’s Cross Road where he tried to leave the shop clutching a power drill.

Prosecutor Marie Irvine said: “The accused walked past the till towards the exit. The witness followed the accused. The accused was blocked in and said ‘don’t come after me, I’ll ******* stab you with a needle.’ ”

Gallacher would make it a hat-trick of abhorrent behaviour when he went to Lidl on South Road on February 13. He was spotted carrying a see-through bag of meat before the security alarm was activated.

Staff chased Gallacher across the car park before he pulled out the needle and said: “If you follow me or try to follow me I’ll ******* stab you,” before making off with the bag.

He finally attended at Boots, High Street, on February 16 where he was caught stealing three pink gift sets before brandishing a needle towards a staff member.

Sheriff Alastair Carmichael jailed Gallacher for a total of 32 months.

Kingsway Boots