Watch as an armed robber dressed as The Joker causes terror in Jarrow’s Morrisons
An armed robber pulled out a knife while dressed as The Joker in Jarrow’s Morrisons supermarket.
Shocking footage shows an armed robber disguised as The Joker causing terror in Morrisons when he produced a knife and asked "do you want to die".
Peter Braithwaite, whose face was painted as the sinister Batman villain, had filled a trolley at the supermarket in Jarrow and then winked at staff who pointed out he had not paid.
When attempts were made to stop him leaving, Braithwaite pulled out a knife and asked staff if they wanted to be stabbed.
Worried workers feared they would come under attack before he left with the trolley and took it to his nearby home.
Dressed up as The Joker
Chilling video shows Braithwaite, with his face painted as the sadistic criminal character, dressed all in black and carrying a black backpack, leave the store while still brandishing the knife.
Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw told Newcastle Crown Court it was about 3pm on July 8 when Braithwaite went into the store and added: "The defendant had his face painted to resemble a Batman character, The Joker, and was seen pushing a trolley containing various groceries."
Mr Wardlaw said as Braithwaite approached the exit, a female staff member pointed out that he had not paid and added: "He responded by saying 'speak to your manager' and winking before making off toward the store exit."
The court heard other staff members tried to take hold of the trolley and stop Braithwaite from leaving.
Mr Wardlaw added: "He produced a knife, a folding knife with a six-inch blade he used to threaten staff members.
"The defendant was heard to make comments 'do you want a bit?, do you want to get stabbed?, do you want to die?' while pointing the knife towards staff and caused them to back away."
Members of the public left in fear
The court heard witnesses described being in fear and a security guard believed he and his colleagues would come under violent attack.
Braithwaite then left and pushed the trolley of groceries to his nearby home.
One worker said they now experience "panic and anxiety" at work and although was never bothered before about confronting shoplifters, now feels "complete dread" about it.
The worker said: "I keep thinking about the moment when the offender with the painted face pulled a knife out and pointed it towards me asking if I wanted it.
"He looked so frightening, his eyes were bulging. I believed I was going to be stabbed."
Put behind bars
Braithwaite, 31, of Wilkinson Court Tower, Jarrow, admitted robbery and has been jailed for 40 months.
Robin Turton, defending, said Braithwaite, who has mental health problems, now fully understands the impact of what he did and is sorry for it.
Recorder Jamie Hill KC told Braithwaite: "I am very mindful of your mental health difficulties but the weight of the evidence makes me sure on this particular day you were acting to a very large extent while high on drink and drugs.
"This was a terrifying incident, essentially threatening to stab several people who were trying to do their job.
"I realise you have come to understand and be remorseful about this and when you have spoken to professionals you may not have complete memory of exactly what you did but I am sure those people who were there in Morrisons will ever forget it."