Man jailed for Tesco stabbing

KNIFE-WIELDING shoplifter Michael Phillips has been jailed for four years after attacking two security guards at a Tesco superstore.

The 41-year-old prolific thief had been trying to sneak a television remote control, alcohol and two scart leads out of the Hanley store.

But he was challenged by security guards, Neil West and Adrian Leaf, and started attacking them with a Stanley knife.

Philip Beardwell, prosecuting, told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court: "He started to flail his arms around. He said he would slash them."

Phillips, of Upper Hillchurch Street, Hanley, slashed Mr West's leg in three places and left him needing 26 stitches.

Mr Leaf – who had cuts to his left arm and wrist – said he was left shocked and traumatised and could not look at his injuries without feeling sick.

Staff allowed Phillips to escape after seeing the injuries but he was arrested eight days later.

He told police he was shocked to be apprehended – as he thought staff were letting him get away with the thefts from the store.

Phillips – who has previous convictions for assault, robbery, battery, using violence to enter premises, and assaulting a police officer – said he used the knife to get away.

Stuart Muldoon, in mitigation, said: "Mr Phillips has expressed remorse. Abuse of substances is the cause of his offending. He did not go out with the knife to assault someone – he was using it to cut off security tags.

"He was stealing from Tesco on a daily basis and for some reason he thought they knew but were letting him get away with it."

Phillips pleaded guilty to two counts of wounding with intent, one count of possessing a knife and one count of theft.

Recorder David Tucker said: "The use of a Stanley knife on these two men could have resulted in a much more serious situation.

"It could have been murder if they had bled to death."