A thug who slashed a shopkeeper's leg when he tried to stop him stealing cleaning products has walked free.
James Hall was spotted helping himself to items in a Gateshead convenience store and when attempts were made to prevent him from fleeing, he lashed out with a knife, causing a large gash to the victim's knee which needed stitches.
A court heard it happened around 6.15pm on July 4 after Hall's suspicious behaviour had caught the attention of the shopkeeper. He began monitoring him on CCTV and approached him when he went in a camera blind spot.
Read more: Gateshead woman pulled knife on shop customer who tried to stop her partner stealing
Hall was then followed outside and the victim asked what stolen items he had on him. Jane Waugh, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court: "The complainant grabbed his coat to stop him running away and saw he had items from the store on his person.
"Those items fell to the floor and he noticed a knife in his pocket and a bag with needles in it. The defendant grabbed the knife and started waving it towards the complainant.
"When he looked down he saw he had blood on his knee and realised the defendant had slashed his leg, causing a large gash on his knee."
Hall, 34, of Milling Court, Gateshead, who has 124 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to wounding and possessing a knife. Recorder Mark Giuliani sentenced him to two years suspended for two years with a three month curfew between 8pm and 6am.
He told him: "There's CCTV which sets out exactly what you did when stealing items, it seems to be cleaning items rather than meat which is your normal theft to make money.
"You were seen acting suspiciously, you left the store, he stopped you and you had a large number of items in your possession. You ended up in the gutter sitting down and you were in possession of a knife. This is not the first time you have been in possession of an offensive weapon.
"To make good your escape you swung around and slashed the victim with the knife. That was clearly reckless rather than intentional."
The judge said he had read an "impressive and genuine letter" from Hall in which he expressed "genuine remorse". Rachel Hedworth, defending, said Hall was introduced to heroin at the age of 15 but now has stable accommodation.
Read next:
- Morpeth pervert with 'Jimmy Savile' email address had vile abuse images including torture and rape
- North Shields rapist who struck hours after victim suffered miscarriage jailed for ten years
- Disgusting Sunderland thug who spat in the faces of nurse and police officer jailed
- Scotswood dance teacher who assaulted boyfriend while on suspended sentence for GBH walks free
- South Shields woman left partner with deep knife wounds to hands in row over TV news story
