Dad arrested for French stick threat (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Alan Lewis arrested on his 50th birthday in ASDA

1:00pm Friday 21st September 2012 in Local By Emily Roberts, Chief Reporter

AN ANGRY Basingstoke dad got into trouble with police on his 50th birthday after threatening supermarket staff with a baguette.

North Hampshire Magistrates’ Court heard that on July 6 this year, Alan Lewis was shopping at ASDA, in Brighton Hill, buying food and alcohol for a family gathering to celebrate his big day.

But when manager Julie Stocks accused him of buying booze for under-age drinkers and refused to serve him, he called her a ‘jobs-worth’ and started swearing at her.

The court heard that Lewis, of Chopin Road, Brighton Hill, then pulled a French stick from his trolley and began waving it around.

Prosecutor Claire Hartman added: “He threw a packet of chicken onto the till. She (Julie Stocks) said she thought he would hit her, and felt intimidated and scared.”

The incident was caught on CCTV cameras and Lewis later admitted one count of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour with intent to cause fear.

Defending Lewis, Nicholas Bates said: “There was someone with him, 17 or 18 years-old, but he wasn’t buying drink for them.

“He reaches the check-out and he’s told he’s not allowed to buy the alcohol in the trolley and he’s upset by that and shouts abuse.”

He said Lewis had brought up five children as a single parent, and was living with his 21-year-old son. He described the incident as a “momentary lapse.”

District Judge Phillip Gillibrand told Lewis it was vital that everyone was treated with respect, no matter what they were doing. He said: “This lady was doing her job. She obviously was very intimidated by your behaviour.”

He ordered Lewis to pay £250 compensation as punishment for the offence.