Newcastle Woman Sentenced to Prison for Terrifying Knife Incident
A 25-year-old woman from Newcastle has been jailed after a violent confrontation in a local shop where she threatened the manager with a knife, prompting customers to flee in terror.
Details of the Disturbing Incident
Tequilla King, of Heaton, Newcastle, entered a Premier shop on Newton Road on August 13 last year. She was asked to leave the premises due to a previous ban from the store. In response, King began swearing at staff members and brandished a knife, causing immediate panic among customers and some employees who ran out of the shop to safety.
A female worker at the scene later stated that she believed King was prepared to stab people, according to evidence presented at Newcastle Crown Court. Despite the chaos, the shop manager remained inside, taking refuge behind the Post Office till and calling the police for assistance.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
During the sentencing, Recorder Nathan Moxon described the incident as "a terrifying episode for everyone involved." He noted that King made repeated threats to stab the manager and proceeded to smash up the shop, damaging parcels that were awaiting collection by customers.
Recorder Moxon emphasized the severity of the situation, stating: "You swiped at him with the knife as he tried to protect the till. You came extremely close to making contact with the knife, and had you done so, you would have caused serious injury."
King attempted twice to get behind the till to access it, but police arrived approximately eight minutes after being alerted. Even after her arrest, she continued to make threats against the manager.
Impact on Victims and Legal Outcome
In a victim impact statement, a female staff member expressed that she no longer feels safe working alone at the shop and was deeply concerned for the manager's safety. Recorder Moxon highlighted that the flight of most people from the shop demonstrated their genuine fear during the ordeal.
King, who has 21 previous convictions including two for carrying a knife, pleaded guilty to charges of threatening with a bladed article, affray, and criminal damage. She was sentenced to 16 months in prison.
Mitigating Factors and Defendant's Claims
During the proceedings, King claimed that her actions were a deliberate attempt to get arrested. The court heard that she had missed an appointment to receive a medication injection on the morning of the incident and had been unable to contact her healthcare providers or a crisis team.
Her barrister argued that King acted impulsively at a time when her mental health had significantly deteriorated. He stated that she regrets her actions and expresses remorse for the distress caused.
This case underscores the serious consequences of knife-related violence in retail settings and the lasting impact such incidents have on victims and the wider community.
