Knife-wielding shopper punched by security guard

A shoplifting suspect got a nasty shock when he pulled out a knife in a Morrisons supermarket in Peterborough.

Matthew Swanborough, of Chaucer Road, Peterborough, was knocked to the ground by the store's security guard.

A member of the public helped by standing on the blade.

Swanborough was handed an 18 month suspended prison sentence.

The incident happened in the supermarket on Lincoln Road on 25th May.

The 23-year-old was asked to leave the store and was escorted towards the exit by the store’s security officer.

However, he became verbally abusive and said ‘I have a knife and I’m not afraid to use it’, Peterborough Crown Court heard.

Swanborough pulled a knife from his waistband and brandished it at waist height towards the security officer.

Fearing he would be stabbed, the security officer struck Swanborough to the face with a water bottle in his hand.

Swanborough was charged with threatening a person with a blade in a public place.

He was sentenced at Peterborough Crown Court where he was handed eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

Swanborough was also ordered to complete a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

PC Laura Pilling said: “Swanborough’s behaviour on the day was unacceptable and the incident could have been much worse.

“Members of the public should be able to go to the supermarket without fear of anti-social behaviour and crime.”