Kenton Aldi staff threatened with hammer after confronting meat thief
A brazen shop thief threatened supermarket staff with a hammer when he was confronted for stealing meat. Richard Hunter was spotted by shoppers in an Aldi store stashing packets of food down his trousers.
A court heard that staff were alerted to what the 48-year-old was doing and he was confronted. But Hunter refused to give up his loot and an altercation took place between him and the store manager outside the exit doors, prosecutors said. Hunter took exception to the worker being able to grab some of the stolen meat off him and pulled out a large hammer from his pocket.
Newcastle Magistrates' Court heard that Hunter then swung the weapon around and shouted "I'm going to hit you with this hammer, I'm going to do you in", leaving staff terrified. Hunter, of George's Road, Elswick, was eventually arrested and pleaded guilty to one count each of affray and attempted shop theft.
READ MORE: Benwell dealer caught selling drugs to undercover officer in Newcastle avoids jail
READ MORE: Byker man jailed after police found his DNA at scene of Newcastle burglary
Paul Coulson, prosecuting, said shoppers in Aldi, in Kenton, reported to the store manager that they could see Hunter putting packets of meat down his trousers and inside his jacket on December 10 2023. He was confronted but refused to hand back the goods and made his way out of the exit.
Mr Coulson added: "[The manager] grabbed the defendant by the arms and used his leg to unbalance him. There was an altercation. [The manager] managed to restrain the defendant on the floor and, at this point, recovered the stolen meat.
"The defendant stood up and produced a hammer with a large, metal head and black and red handle. The defendant shouted "I'm going to hit you with this hammer" and "I'm going to do you in".
"[The manager] stated that he and other staff members backed away from him, concerned for their safety. The defendant, and the female who was with him, then walked away from the store."
The court heard that Hunter had 198 offences on his record but had recently started to turn his life around. Michael Crowe. defending, said: "He's got a long history of social problems, which include drug addiction and fragile mental health.
"He's had difficulty with accommodation in the past but has managed to secure a place at Virginia House. At the time, he was having periods of homelessness and his drug addiction was uncontrolled."
Hunter was given a 12-month community order and was fined £50. He must also pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.