Thief pulled out knuckle duster in shop
A father-of-three who threatened shopkeeper with a knuckle-duster has been spared an immediate stint behind bars.
Shoplifter Kevin Hutchison stole two cans of beer from Spar in Heath Hayes.
And when he was confronted by shopkeeper Akaash Rajput outside the store, he pulled a knuckle duster from his pocket and threatened to hit the victim.
Mr Kevin Jones, prosecuting at Stafford Crown Court yesterday, said Mr Rajput, who described himself as being upset and angry, told the defendant to take a swing.
Hutchison drew his fist back, only to punch a fence and the shopkeeper walked away, the court heard.
Police were called to arrest Hutchison, who lived opposite the shop in Hednesford Road and found he still had the knuckle-duster on him.
Hutchison, aged 28, who admitted charges of theft and possessing an offensive weapon on September 29, was given a three-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months and ordered to pay £350 costs and £10 compensation, plus £80 surcharge.
Mr Neil Gerrity, defending, said Hutchison, a father-of-three, had remained sober for seven months - the longest time in recent years - until September when he separated from his partner.
