A masked man who entered a Croydon Tesco waving an axe earlier than chasing after “traumatised” shoppers and employees has been jailed.
Danhi Smith, 27, hacked away at a money machine simply exterior the grocery store in Purley shortly after 10pm on January 22, 2019, earlier than strolling inside and putting a number of self-checkouts.
He then proceeded to run to the again of the shop, chasing after terrified shoppers and employees who have been left “operating for his or her lives”.
One lady injured her head and arm as she fell in a determined try and flee the shop.
Smith additionally triggered greater than £10,000 of harm to a Tesco lorry parked on the rear of the grocery store, with the blows to the self-checkouts and different elements of the shop additionally amounting to “1000’s of kilos” in prices to restore.
A small crowd rushes by way of a hall
The whole ordeal was caught on CCTV, however Smith remained at giant for for 2 months earlier than being arrested and charged with affray, felony injury and possession of an offensive weapon, specifically the axe.
He pleaded responsible to the offences and appeared for sentencing at Croydon Crown Court on Thursday (March 25).
In mitigation, the court docket heard Smith had “psychological points” and had “gone off the rails” after his associate’s youngster had died, inflicting their relationship to interrupt down. He additionally pleaded responsible “on the first lifelike alternative”, the court docket was advised.
Danhi Smith chased after shoppers with an axe
Judge Mr Recorder Andrew Burns QC advised the court docket that Smith’s behaviour was “excessive, extreme and unpredictable”.
Passing sentence, he added: “You had an axe and coated your decrease face with a shawl and shoppers should have been terrified.
“Events took a flip for the more severe as you went into the shop and adopted a variety of kids and their mother and father and smashed self-checkout machines with an axe.
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“People have been naturally panicked. You ran to the again of the shop the place there have been terrified clients. You ran after them along with your axe raised above your head in a way that may solely be described as extraordinarily threatening.
“They fled like they have been operating for his or her lives. Unfortunately, a consumer fell and injured herself. You completed your rampage by hitting a lorry. This was a terrifying incident. It makes folks really feel unsafe to exit in public.
“Your behaviour was excessive, extreme and unpredictable.”
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Smith, of Frederick Street, Sittingbourne, Kent, was sentenced to a complete of 26 months in jail.
He acquired 26 months for the offence of possession of a bladed article, 22 months for affray and 14 months for felony injury, every to be served concurrently.
