Holland and Barrett employee attacked his boss in front of customers and chased him with knife after row over length of his lunch break
- The genteel surroundings of Holland & Barrett exploded into violence in clash
- Terry Stokes, 26, dug his fingers into Kyran Burnett’s eyes then went for a knife
- He chased boss Kyran in front of bewildered shoppers buying their health foods
A Holland & Barrett worker attacked his boss in front of shocked customers after a row erupted about the length of his lunch-break.
Terry Stokes, 26, dug his fingers into Kyran Burnett’s eyes then grabbed a blade from the store-room at the health food shop in Victoria.
Four customers fled in panic as Stokes chased Mr Burnett with the knife on December 29 last year, Southwark Crown Court heard.
Judge David Tomlinson told Stokes: ‘The incident happened in your work place at Holland & Barrett in Warwick Way.
‘It started because your colleague had remonstrated you via text or WhatsApp about the time you had taken away for your lunch break.
‘You approached your colleague while he was at the till with two other customers.
Holland & Barrett in Warwick Way, Pimlico, was the location of the surprisingly aggressive row
‘You started shouting and instantly adopted an aggressive stance.
‘You gave no though to the customers who became alarmed quickly.
‘Mr Burnett felt the need to defend himself.
‘During the course of the incident the two of you remained upright.
‘You sent articles on the shop floor flying.
‘You dug at least one of your fingers into his eye. He felt a stinging sensation and he feared his sight might be impaired.
‘Mr Burnett seemed to be as strong as you.
Terry Stokes, 26, dug his fingers into Kyran Burnett’s eyes then went for a knife inside the shop
‘But the worst was to come.
‘You disappeared into a storage room, and having had ample time to cool off, re-emerged with a cutting knife.
‘You were intent on chasing Mr Burnett with an exposed bladed article.
‘This caused alarm and distress, not just to Mr Burnett, but to four other customers who fled the premises.’
But the judge gave Stokes credit for finding another job since the incident.
‘We have an impressive letter written on your behalf by your new employer who plainly thinks you would be of more use outside of prison than behind bars.’
Stokes, of Camden, was convicted of assault by beating and possessing a knife.
He was sentenced to eight months jail suspended for 21 months.
Stokes will also have to complete 18 hours of unpaid work with 15 days of rehabilitation activity and he was also ordered to pay £1,250 compensation to Mr Burnett.
The judge added: ‘You still have anger issues and it may properly be addressed with these sessions.
‘You really must curb your temper in the future.’
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