Darwen shopkeeper attacked by customer (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Darwen shopkeeper attacked by customer

1:37pm Monday 18th March 2013 in News

A 26-YEAR-OLD Darwen man assaulted a shopkeeper who he thought had 'ripped him off' over the purchase of a bottle of wine.

And Blackburn magistrates were told Phillip Alderson made a habit of assaulting people.

Alderson, of Frederick Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to assaulting Abid Hussain. He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Peter Wild, prosecuting, said Mr Hussain was working in his shop, Booze Brothers, in Darwen when Alderson came in. He was clearly angry and claimed he had been overcharged the previous evening.

“He threatened to break the shopkeeper’s jaw and followed him behind the counter where he put his forehead against the other man’s forehead and made further threats,” said Mr Wild. “He then started punching him in the face.”

Mr Wild said Alderson had convictions for assault in March and June 2011 and in July 2012.

Scott Parker, defending, said Alderson was a regular in the shop and had gone in the night before and bought a bottle of wine for £5 using his debit card.

“When he looked at his statement the next day he discovered he had been charged £10 for the wine,” said Mr Parker. “He was annoyed and went in to remonstrate with the shopkeeper. He says he was quite civil but Mr Hussain told him to get out, using foul language at the same time.”