Joker-painted robber jailed for threatening Jarrow supermarket staff with knife
Peter Braithwaite, 31, robbed a Morrisons in Jarrow while wearing face paint resembling The Joker, threatening staff with a knife as he left with groceries. The incident frightened workers and left one employee anxious about confronting shoplifters, while Braithwaite’s 40-month prison sentence reflects the seriousness of the threats.
The robbery took place on 8 July and was captured on shop CCTV. Braithwaite pointed a knife with a six-inch blade at staff and asked whether they wanted to be stabbed or die; he later admitted robbery at Newcastle Crown Court. The court heard that staff feared a violent attack, and that Braithwaite has mental health problems and is remorseful.
In short
- Robber in Joker face paint threatened Morrisons staff with a knife.
- Braithwaite took groceries from a Jarrow supermarket.
- He admitted robbery and was jailed for 40 months.
Explained simply
Morrisons is a supermarket chain with shops across the UK. Jarrow is a town in South Tyneside, in north-east England, where shop staff may face theft and abuse while serving customers.
Robbery involves taking property by force or threat, making it more serious than shoplifting. Threatening staff with a knife can put them at risk of physical harm and leave them fearful at work.
Newcastle Crown Court deals with serious criminal cases in the area. A prison sentence considers the offence and the circumstances presented to the court, including any admission of guilt and personal factors.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Daily Mail as “‘Do you want to die?’ Armed robber disguised as The Joker winks and brandishes knife at staff who try to stop him walking out of Morrisons with trolley full of groceries”.