A Norwich shoplifter threatened to stab staff at a Lidl store after being confronted for stealing alcohol.
Thomas Grady, 38, was caught taking vodka from the shelves when staff attempted to stop him from leaving without paying.
"Don't come any closer or I'll stab you," Grady shouted at employees whilst making threatening gestures.
The store manager believed the suspect had a knife concealed in his waistband during the incident.
The incident occurred at the Lidl branch on Blaxter Way in Sprowston on January 10, 2023.
Staff members attempted to confront Grady as he tried to leave the store without paying.
The confrontation escalated when Grady made threatening gestures towards the employees.
The case was later brought before Norwich Magistrates' Court.
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Grady, of Camborne Close in Norwich, pleaded guilty to threatening words that caused fear of violence and stealing a bottle of vodka.
The court heard that Grady had previous convictions for shoplifting and possession of knives.
Deputy District Judge Julia Moffat ordered pre-sentence reports before the next hearing.
The case was adjourned until March 14, with the judge warning Grady that "all options are open".
Grady was released on conditional bail with strict requirements not to contact store staff.
He was also banned from entering Blaxter Way or Blue Boar Lane as part of his bail conditions.
The case comes amid unprecedented levels of shoplifting across Norfolk, with the county recording its highest number of retail theft offences in the past two years.
Despite the surge in shoplifting incidents, Norfolk maintains the highest detection rate for such crimes in the country.
Find Out More...
Thomas Grady, 38, was caught taking vodka from the shelves when staff attempted to stop him from leaving without paying.
"Don't come any closer or I'll stab you," Grady shouted at employees whilst making threatening gestures.
The store manager believed the suspect had a knife concealed in his waistband during the incident.
The incident occurred at the Lidl branch on Blaxter Way in Sprowston on January 10, 2023.
Staff members attempted to confront Grady as he tried to leave the store without paying.
The confrontation escalated when Grady made threatening gestures towards the employees.
The case was later brought before Norwich Magistrates' Court.
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Grady, of Camborne Close in Norwich, pleaded guilty to threatening words that caused fear of violence and stealing a bottle of vodka.
The court heard that Grady had previous convictions for shoplifting and possession of knives.
Deputy District Judge Julia Moffat ordered pre-sentence reports before the next hearing.
The case was adjourned until March 14, with the judge warning Grady that "all options are open".
Grady was released on conditional bail with strict requirements not to contact store staff.
He was also banned from entering Blaxter Way or Blue Boar Lane as part of his bail conditions.
The case comes amid unprecedented levels of shoplifting across Norfolk, with the county recording its highest number of retail theft offences in the past two years.
Despite the surge in shoplifting incidents, Norfolk maintains the highest detection rate for such crimes in the country.
Find Out More...