A drug addict told shop security staff he had HIV and threatened to stab them with a needle.
Christopher John Traynor, 38, a prisoner at Perth, was jailed for a year and 30 days after admitting five separate charges at Dundee Sheriff Court.
The court heard Traynor had a long list of previous convictions, including shoplifting, theft, assault and robbery, breach of the peace, indecent assault, assault to permanent disfigurement, prison breaking and possession of drugs with intent to supply.
Depute fiscal Eilidh Robertson said that on June 27, at Asda Dundee West, Myrekirk, Traynor had been spotted removing two bottles of whisky from the shelves.
Staff spoke to him and he was told the police were on their way and he became agitated. He told them he was leaving and the staff members said he was being recorded by CCTV.
He swore at them and produced a capped needle, threatening to stab them before removing the cap, moving towards the door and telling them he “had HIV”.
The whisky was valued at £90, the fiscal said.
Traynor was identified by police through CCTV and traced on June 30 at South Road, where he was searched and a lock-knife was found on him, which he admitted possession of.
Solicitor Jim Laverty told the court Traynor was remorseful, embarrassed and ashamed of his actions.
He said he was “like a caged animal in the throes of a particularly deep addiction to drugs”.
Traynor admitted stealing the bottles of whisky before assaulting James Handyside and Scott Glen, both employees at Asda, by repeatedly shouting and swearing, presenting an uncapped needle at them, telling them he had HIV and threatening to stab them with the needle.
He also admitted stealing two bottles of whisky and a bottle of vodka, valued at £74.97, from the store on June 24.
He further admitted breaking into Farmfoods, St Ann Lane, Dundee, on May 25, and stealing a cake and meat.
Sheriff Alastair Brown told Traynor: “It is one thing to commit theft by shoplifting, but if the person threatens violence or uses violence this court will not be gentle in dealing with that.
“It is not acceptable that a member of staff simply doing their job should be threatened with violence.”
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