'I know your face – I'll take a knife to your throat'

UNHAPPY shopper Lino Saraiva has been handed a suspended jail term after threatening staff in a city centre store.

Saraiva got agitated when he had a credit card refused at Sainsbury's in Penn Street, Bristol Crown Court heard.

He leaned over the counter and told store supervisor Stuart Balkwill: "I know your face. I'll take a knife to your throat."

Saraiva, 44 of Grosvenor Road in St Paul's, pleaded guilty to common assault in April last year.

Judge Carol Hagen handed him a four-month jail term, suspended for a year, with a year's supervision.

She told him: "The sort of behaviour you engaged in is frightening and alarming to others. All they're doing is their job. You were affected by alcohol and you had taken cannabis. The next time it is straight to prison. It's up to you."

Julian Howells, prosecuting, said after Saraiva threatened Mr Balkwill he was asked to leave and made a "kicking gesture" as he did so.

Other staff came to the supervisor's assistance and Saraiva threatened to take them on, get his mates down and he would remember their faces.

Saraiva was arrested and made no comment to police.

David Martin, defending, said his client was genuinely remorseful for what he had done.

Mr Martin said: "He accepts threatening and he handled the situation poorly. When sober and without drugs he realises it was offensive behaviour and is something he regrets."

The court heard Saraiva had accommodation and was on a methadone script.

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