Yob made knife threat and hurled racist abuse at '˜scared' South Shields shop boss

Stuart McCulla had sunk a quarter of a bottle of vodka when he hurled racist abuse at Ratnam Taj outside Bays Newsagents, in Hudson Street, South Shields, telling him “I’m a really bad man. I have a knife”.

The 24-year-old made the shocking threat after the shop boss said he wasn’t welcome in his store after stealing alcohol and chocolate from the premises in June.

McCulla, of Seafield Terrace, South Shields, admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words which were racially aggravated at a previous hearing at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

He also entered a guilty plea to the theft of £12 of goods from Mr Raj’s store.

McCulla was back in the dock for sentencing and was handed a 12-month community order and told to pay a £20 victim surcharge, as well as £12 in compensation over the theft on June 28.

Jeanette Smith, prosecuting at the earlier hearing, said McCulla had launched the racist tirade at his victim on September 3.

Mrs Smith said: “The shoplifting offence took place on June 28, when the defendant stole cider and confectionary worth £12.

“Then at 5.10pm on September 3, McCulla was recognised by Mr Raj as as the man responsible for the shop theft.

“He was carrying stock from his car to the store at the time and told McCulla he wasn’t welcome in the shop as he had stolen from it.

“McCulla then told him ‘I’m a really bad man, I’ve got a knife, I will sort you out.

“The shopkeeper was scared and felt it was possible he had a knife.

“McCulla was arrested and said he suffers from alcoholism and, at the time of the theft, had been going through a bad time.

“He said he did not have a knife but admitted making racist comments.”

In a statement read out in court, Mr Raj said: “The incident left me feeling scared and anxious about being in the shop alone in case he comes in.”

Geoffrey Forrester, defending, said McCulla required help to tackle his drink problem.