A 31-year-old man who robbed a Morrisons supermarket while disguised as Batman villain The Joker has been sentenced to 40 months in prison after threatening staff with a knife.
Peter Braithwaite, from Jarrow, South Tyneside, entered the supermarket on July 8 with his face painted to resemble the fictional character. He was dressed entirely in black and carried a black backpack.
When employees attempted to stop him from leaving with unpaid groceries, Braithwaite produced a knife and threatened to stab them before pushing a trolley full of goods out of the store and taking it to his nearby home.
CCTV Captured Knife Threats Against Employees
Shop surveillance footage captured Braithwaite inside the supermarket as the incident unfolded.
Kevin Wardlaw, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court that Braithwaite initially told staff to “speak to your manager” before producing a knife with a six-inch blade.
He then pointed the weapon towards employees and made a series of threats, including: “Do you want a bit? Do you want to get stabbed? Do you want to die?”
The threats caused staff to retreat as they feared being attacked.
Braithwaite subsequently left the supermarket with the trolley containing the stolen groceries.
Workers Describe Lasting Fear After the Incident
The court heard that the robbery had a significant impact on the supermarket employees who witnessed it.
A security guard said he believed he and his colleagues were at risk of a violent attack during the confrontation.
One worker described experiencing panic and anxiety at work following the incident, explaining that they had previously felt comfortable confronting shoplifters but now experienced “complete dread”.
“I keep thinking about the moment when the offender with the painted face pulled a knife out and pointed it towards me asking if I wanted it,” the worker said.
“He looked so frightening, his eyes were bulging. I believed I was going to be stabbed.”
Judge Describes Robbery as a Terrifying Incident
Braithwaite appeared before Newcastle Crown Court, where he admitted robbery.
Recorder Jamie Hill KC sentenced him to 40 months in prison, describing the incident as terrifying for the employees who had been confronted while carrying out their duties.
“This was a terrifying incident, essentially threatening to stab several people who were trying to do their job,” the judge said.
He acknowledged that Braithwaite had come to understand and regret the consequences of his actions.
The judge also noted that the victims were unlikely to forget what happened inside the supermarket.
“I realise you have come to understand and be remorseful about this and when you have spoken to professionals you may not have complete memory of exactly what you did, but I am sure those people who were there in Morrisons will never forget it,” Hill said.
Defence Says Braithwaite Regrets His Actions
Robin Turton, defending Braithwaite, told the court that his client had mental health problems.
The defence said Braithwaite now understood the impact of his actions and was sorry for the fear and distress caused to the supermarket employees.
The 40-month prison sentence was imposed after Braithwaite admitted the robbery.
