Store thief behaved 'like a headless chicken'

Judge Kerry Macgill heard on the same day William Herbert knocked over an 82-year-old man who was blocking his way. He was spotted shoplifting in a supermarket and struggled violently with staff who tried to restrain him,

The pensioner had opened his door to let Herbert's girlfriend into his home and, believing Herbert was chasing her, he stuck out his leg to stop him coming in. But Herbert simply barged straight past, knocking his leg out of the way and causing him to fall over, suffering bruising to his back and ribs, Alisha Kaye, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court.

Later that day Herbert was seen shoplifting in Morrisons, Hunslet, and when approached by the deputy manager and security staff claimed he had paid for the items but then ran off further into the store pursued by staff.

A member of the public tried to stop him slowing him enough for the security staff to catch up but there was then a violent struggle as four staff each had hold of an arm or leg.

One of them was the butchery manager Craig Appleyard who was kicked in the face as Herbert continued to violently resist.

Miss Kaye said Herbert had 121 previous offences on his record including 19 assaults and 69 theft.

Herbert, of Woodview Terrace, Beeston, in Leeds, admitted two assaults, shoplifting and an earlier offence of possessing a knife.

Jailing him for a total of two and a half years, Judge Macgill said: "It seems to me you have a habit of charging around like a headless chicken with no sense of responsibility for your own behaviour, no sense of the risks or the upset you cause to other members of the public."