Worker punched by customer at Grimsby Asda store

SHOPPERS and staff at Grimsby’s Asda store watched as a customer punched a member of staff, breaking his cheekbone.

Paul Croft, 30, of Hainton Avenue admitted assaulting Asda staff member Stuart Austin at 9.10am on April 30 as he asked Croft to leave the store.

A Grimsby Crown Court, Croft was sentenced to six months in prison suspended for 12 months.

He was also ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work and put on a 60-day curfew from 7pm to 7am.

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Judge David Tremberg said: “You perceived yourself to have some kind grudge between you and the complainant. You did so in a public place in a supermarket. It was reasonable to expect members of the public were in the shop.”

He described the punch as “impulsive”.

The court heard Mr Austin suffered a fractured orbital bone, bleeding to his face and a lot of pain.

Prosecuting, Craig Lowe said Croft entered the Holles Street store at about 9.10am and walked up to Mr Austin and asked him his name. He refused to say and asked the customer to leave.

As he followed him out of the store Croft turned and landed a punch to the left side of his face.

Mr Austin was left with a bleeding face.

Humberside Police officers attended.

Mr Lowe said fellow member of staff Susan Cousins heard Croft say to Mr Austin: “What are you picking on me for? It’s just because you work out or are on steroids. You are a bully.”

The court heard Mr Austin went to Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital, Grimsby, where he was treated for cuts and the fractured cheekbone.

Mitigating, Simon Hirst said: “There is a history of problems between the complainant and the defendant.”

He said the staff member had threatened to pick him up and carry him out of the store.