CCTV footage shared by Sunny's Premier store in Stirling shows two men allegedly stealing alcohol, with one attacker grabbing a staff member by the throat and threatening to "smash" him with a bottle.
Footage shows theft and assault
The clip captures one man wearing a grey tracksuit and baseball cap speaking to a staff member behind the till. He appears to reach out to shake the worker's hand as his accomplice, wearing a puffer jacket, grabs a bottle from a fridge and attempts to walk straight out.
But the staff member spots the theft and moves to intervene, only for the man to grab him by the throat and shove him away. The pair then leave the premises.
Further incidents captured
Further CCTV shows the man in the grey tracksuit walking down an aisle before appearing to conceal a can beneath his top. The footage then cuts to him returning to the shop and taking another bottle from the fridge, which is promptly confiscated by the worker.
As other customers look on, the second man re-enters the premises and grabs another bottle. When the staff member confronts him, he again grabs the worker by the throat and threatens to strike him.
Business speaks out
In a furious Facebook post accompanying the footage, the shop said: "What is happening to people that they think this behaviour is acceptable?"
The business said the two individuals had been involved in thefts at the store previously, with one man allegedly stealing on two separate occasions and the other also having stolen from the premises. It added that during one incident a staff member had been grabbed by the neck, physically attacked and threatened with the words: "I will smash you" – using the bottle he was allegedly stealing.
The shop said it was "disgusted and deeply disappointed" by the "complete disregard" shown for the worker's safety. "Our staff work hard to earn an honest living and have families to go home to. They deserve to feel safe at work," the post continued.
The business insisted it was not seeking sympathy or attention, but simply wanted to operate peacefully, protect its employees and continue serving the community. They added that they had contacted police.
