A man has been sentenced to jail time after chasing someone with a pair of scissors outside a city centre shopping centre.
Sam Sharpe was sitting near the entrance to Nottingham’s Victoria Centre, in Milton Street Nottingham when he was approached by another man.
Scissors
An argument broke out between the pair, and Sharpe responded by jumping to his feet while brandishing some scissors in his hand.
The 27-year-old then proceeded to charge at the other man while making multiple slashing motions through the air with the weapon.
This threatening behaviour carried on for several minutes, with Sharpe continuing to chase the man up and down the road before leaving the scene.
That incident took place just after 12.30 am on 12 September 2023, with officers searching the area that resulted in Sharpe being arrested soon after.
At that point, police realised the same man was also a suspect in a separate violent incident from a few weeks earlier.
Lenton incident
This time, Sharpe walked into Sainsbury’s in Derby Road, Lenton, and made numerous threats to damage the shop and assault the people inside.
Sharpe then squared up to one staff member and pushed a padlock he was carrying against their forehead while threatening to hurt them with it.
The victim suffered no injuries during the incident, which happened at 8.55 am on 17 August.
Sharpe would later go on to be charged with threatening a person with a sharp article in a public place and assault by beating.
Nottingham Crown Court
Having pleaded guilty to these offences, Sharpe, of no fixed address, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday (20 February).
He was subsequently given an 18-month prison sentence.
Detective Sergeant Paul Crofts, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “The kind of violent behaviour demonstrated by Sharpe during both these incidents has no place within our communities and will not be tolerated.
“By choosing to arm himself with a weapon, and then chase after another person with it, he knowingly created what must have been a very scary situation for the other people in attendance.
“Fortunately, his actions didn’t lead to anyone sustaining any injuries, but this was still a very serious and dangerous offence.
“Likewise, nobody was ultimately hurt when he was involved in another violent incident – this time holding another potential weapon in his hand, in the form of a padlock.
“This level of violent intent is completely unacceptable, so we’re pleased to see Sharpe has now been locked up for his behaviour.”
• Read more: Terrifying road rage incident with child in car leads to jail for Nottinghamshire man
