Shoplifting dad attacked brave Millets' worker leaving 'scuff marks' to his face and neck

Millets, on Middlesbrough's Linthorpe Road
-Credit: (Image: Cleveland Police)


A shoplifter confronted by a brave worker grabbed and kicked the man before returning to threaten him to drop the charges.

On Sunday, June 14, Taylor Johnson's victim was working at Millets, on Middlesbrough's Linthorpe Road when at around 2pm Johnson entered. Prosecutor Nigel Soppitt told Teesside Crown Court the dad picked up three t-shirts worth £139 and left activating alarms.

However, the brave shop worker went after him only to be assaulted moments later. Mr Soppitt said: "He followed and caught up with the defendant.

He grabbed at the t-shirts but the defendant pulled away causing the worker to fall. He got up saying 'have you got anything else'? The defendant became more aggressive grabbing him by the collar and pushing him up to a window."

The court heard he then kicked the worker in his leg before shoppers intervened. Johnson, of Middlesbrough, threatened to strike the worker before fleeing the scene. Mr Soppit said: "The defendant left scuff marks to the face and neck of [name of victim]. There was bruising to his leg."

The prosecutor said a police investigation was launched and the defendant was arrested. He was granted bail but returned to the store on August 16 asking the victim's colleague if the shop worker was in. The court heard when he was told he wasn't he said "tell him he better drop the charges or it'll get worse for him. I'll tell everyone he's a grass".

The court heard Johnson, 24, left before returning shortly after and telling the colleague "tell him I came in quite calm". Johnson later pleaded guilty to the following:

  • Theft from a shop

  • Common assault

  • Witness intimidation

In mitigation, Kate Clarke said the defendant accepts his behaviour was "totally unacceptable". She said he began taking crack cocaine weeks prior to the offence after a "tough" break up with his partner who he shares two young children with.

She said his recollection of the incident is limited and he has been working with the Drug and Alcohol Recovery Team (DART) in prison. The Bridge Street West defendant was handed a 12-month prison sentence.

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