A knifeman injured security guards at Sainsbury’s after running into the supermarket’s double doors.
Mark Uzzell, who has himself worked as a security guard, left two workers with slash wounds in a shoplifting attempt at the store in Fox Den Road, Stoke Gifford .
The 38-year-old, of Hogarth Walk in Lockleaze, was handed a two-year jail term on April 25 at Bristol Crown Court.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of actual bodily harm (ABH) and possession of a blade following the attack, which happened at 4.30pm on April 3.
How the attack unfolded
Explaining how the incident started, the prosecutor Caighli Taylor said: “He put two bottles of whisky into his backpack.
“A security guard asked him to put them back. He denied he had anything, but the bottles could be heard clinking.
“He started to push his trolley towards the guard. He told him he had a knife and started waving his arms around.
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“Mr Uzzell tried to run out but he ran into the double doors. He swung out his right arm which connected with the guard’s hand.”
Other members of security tried to detain Uzzell and one grabbed his arm.
Uzzell, who was carrying a Stanley knife, caused slash wounds on two security guards by flinging out his arm.
“He was tackled to the floor,” Ms Taylor continued.
“He was detained until police arrived and arrested him.”
The two injured men were taken to A&E, one with a four-inch slash mark to his torso and the other with deep cuts to his hand.
'Dismally undercharged'
Judge Julian Lambert hit out at the Crown Prosecution Service for the charges it brought against Uzzell.
He said: “Why this is dismally undercharged I have no idea.
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“Day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year, offences which involve wounding are charged as ABH.
“This results in a much lower maximum penalty. They have rather let down the victims of crime.”
The prosecutor said she would pass on the judge’s concerns.
She added: “Uzzell said he was addicted to drugs and didn’t have the best memory of what happened.
“He did not deliberately hurt either victim but accepts they got hurt with his knife."
The defendant also admitted thefts from a Co-op store. He took £45 worth of steak on March 14 and £15 worth on March 18.
107 offences
Uzzell has made 45 court appearances for 107 offences, including two recent knife crimes.
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Matthew Comer, mitigating, said: “He, for approximately 20 years, has had a Class A drug addiction.
“This goes hand in hand with an alcohol addiction. He picks up a drink, which he often steals, and this sparks a desire to take crack cocaine and heroin.
“Ironically, he has held down a job in the past as a security guard.”
Judge Lambert described Uzzell’s record as 'very poor'.
Handing down the sentence, he told the defendant: “These offences cannot be overlooked.
“Two years is the best I can do so as not to crush your resolve.”
