THIS is the moment a supermarket thief leaves staff terrified after threatening them with needles and a bottle of wine.

The shocking video shows Stuart Andrew Westwood, 38, entering the Asda and beginning to fill a carrier bag with various items.

A blurry image from a security camera showing a person in gray clothes threatening an Asda staff member with a bottle of wine and needles in a supermarket aisle.The moment the thief threatens to attack a security guard with a bottle of wineCredit: Jam Press/Hampshire Police A person with a hoodie and gray clothing is bent over in a grocery store aisle, holding a bottle of wine and needles, indicated by a red circle.Westwood is seen stealing a number of items from the storeCredit: Jam Press/Hampshire Police A man with disheveled hair and a mustache, wearing a gray jacket, shouting with an aggressive expression in a store aisle.He warned staff of needles in his handCredit: Jam Press/Hampshire Police

When members of staff challenged him, the attacker became aggressive and pulled several needles from his pocket, threatening workers and shouting, “Don’t touch me, I’ll stab you”.

He then ran into another aisle and grabbed a bottle of wine, which he raised above his head as he moved towards the employees, threatening to use it as a weapon.

Fearing further violence, staff moved out of the way, allowing Westwood to flee with the stolen goods.

It happened at the store on Millbrook Road West, Southampton, Hants, as reported by NeedToKnow.

Following enquiries, Westwood, of no fixed abode, was later identified, arrested and charged.

He admitted at a Southampton Crown Court hearing and was sentenced to 22 months in prison last week.

After sentencing, Hants Police PC Sophie Wellstead, who led the investigation, described the incident as frightening for the staff involved.

She said: “Westwood’s behaviour was volatile, intimidating and created a genuine risk of serious harm.

“I want to commend those working in the store for the calm and measured way they responded.”

She added that the sentence should reassure the public that violence and threats against retail workers will not be tolerated.

The robbery took place on January 21.

This follows recent controversy over Labour’s plans to eliminate most shoplifting prison sentences of less than a year.

This means up to 12,000 repeat offenders could soon avoid jail.

After a number of in South West London over the weekend, supermarkets have called for further powers for security guards.

boss Lord Richard Walker has spoken out about the “violent nature” of such crimes.

Walker said: “I’ve always argued for more powers for security guards. You go to Spain and all the security guards have pepper spray and a truncheon, they don’t mess about.”

The chaos in Clapham this weekend broke out after teens were rallied together on social media.

The mobs then stormed Clapham High Street twice, forcing shops to close to protect their staff and stock.

One woman told The Sun how she was swarmed outside the shop and had to be escorted outside by cops.

Mugshot of a man with disheveled brown hair and a beard, wearing a light-colored jacket over a gray t-shirt.Westwood was sentenced to 22 months in prisonCredit: Jam Press/Hampshire Police A man in a grey sweatshirt wielding a bottle of wine at staff in a store.The robbery took place on January 21Credit: Jam Press/Hampshire Police Person on a bicycle, viewed from the side, on a wet or reflective surface.The man then tries to flee on his bikeCredit: Jam Press/Hampshire Police

Eze Chidiebere Paul

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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