COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

Prolific shoplifter Douglas Sirrell attacked the worker after he was challenged about stealing goods from a shop in Earlsdon



A terrified shop assistant contracted hepatitis after a drug-addicted shoplifter stabbed him in the stomach with an infected needle.

And a judge expressed disbelief that, even though his victim has been successfully treated, thief Douglas Sirrell had not been charged with causing grievous bodily harm.

But Sirrell, aged 44, of Northumberland Road, Spon End, was jailed for 21 months at Warwick Crown Court after pleading guilty to charges of theft and assault causing actual bodily harm.

Prosecutor Nicholas Smith said the victim was working in the One Stop in Earlsdon Street, Earlsdon, in March when Sirrell, who he recognised as a known shoplifter, came in.

The assistant watched as Sirrell put some items into a store basket, but others into a large bag he was carrying, so he informed his manager and challenged him.

Sirrell tried to barge past him, and when the store manager arrived he became more aggressive and began making threats and pulled out a hypodermic needle.

Fearing for his safety, the shop assistant punched Sirrell in self-defence – at which Sirrell stabbed him with the needle, dropped the bags and ran.

Mr Smith added that Sirrell, who refused to come out of his cell to be interviewed following his arrest, had 72 previous convictions for 154 offences, mainly for shoplifting.

Judge Andrew Lockhart QC said: “Are you satisfied with the charging decision? This man has given him hepatitis B, and would have known he was a carrier when he wielded the needle.

“Is that not harm which is more serious than section 47 assault [causing actual bodily harm]?

“I was shocked. If that’s the decision which was made, I will have to sentence him within the guidelines, but has this been considered?”

Mr Smith said the case had been reviewed by the CPS, and the decision on the appropriate charge remained.