A suspected shoplifter threatened to smash a bottle over a security guard’s head after being caught behind the supermarket’s tobacco counter.
Serial offender Thomas Talent, 35, has a long list of previous convictions and has now been jailed for eight months after admitting threatening or abusive behaviour at Asda Blantyre on December 17, 2023.
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard he entered the all-night store at 4.30am and the guard saw him go behind the tobacco counter, reports Lanarkshire Live.
Lewis Devoy, prosecuting, said: “The guard asked him what he was doing and the accused ran past him.
“The guard tried to stop him but Talent pulled a glass bottle from his jacket, brandished it at him and said ‘Get back or I’m smashing this over you’.
“This caused the guard alarm and he backed off. The accused ran out of the supermarket but the incident was captured on CCTV and police identified him.”
Defence lawyer Calum Weir said Talent was seen in an area reserved for staff, adding: “He should not have reacted in the way he did.
“He made a threat to make good his escape from the supermarket.”
Talent has a long list of previous convictions for shoplifting and carrying blades.
In 2023 he was in court after being caught with a knife for the fifth time in five years.
At that time he said he considered it necessary to carry a knife because he was homeless.
Source – Glasgow Live
