Confrontation escalates in One Stop store
A shoplifting incident in St Helens quickly escalated into a serious offence after a man threatened staff with claims he had a knife. Michael Smith, 36, entered the One Stop on Greenfield Road with a small group on the evening of 16 March this year. Staff immediately recognised one of the men with him as a regular shoplifter and asked the group to leave.
While the others complied, Smith refused. He began arguing with the staff, claiming he wasn’t stealing and had every right to stay. During the confrontation, he shouted: “You don’t know I’m robbing. You don’t know I’m with him. I’m not stealing and you can’t make me leave. I want to speak to your manager.”
Claimed to be armed with a knife
When told that the woman speaking to him was in fact the manager, Smith grabbed multiple boxes of cake worth around £25 and attempted to leave. As the manager and another customer tried to stop him, he repeatedly shouted, “I’ve got a knife.” The threat was enough to force them to back away and allow Smith to leave the store.
No weapon was ever found, but he was identified from CCTV footage and later arrested. He admitted one count of robbery at Liverpool Crown Court.
Lengthy criminal record revealed in court
The court heard that Smith, of Baltimore Drive, has 49 previous offences, including assaults and drug possession. His defence said the outburst was impulsive and he had no intention of carrying through the threat. He claimed not to have had a knife and expressed remorse.
It was also revealed that Smith’s life has been affected by long-term substance misuse, an unstable relationship, and periods of homelessness. He had recently fallen out with his partner and started using drugs again when the incident occurred.
Judge delivers stern warning
Judge Stuart Driver KC told Smith his actions had turned a minor offence into a major one. He said retail workers were vulnerable and must be protected, adding that Smith’s record made the matter even more serious.
Smith was sentenced to 30 months in prison. The judge noted this would be his longest sentence to date and urged him to reflect on his future.
