Iceland worker went on forklift truck rampage after being suspended
An Iceland worker who was angry about being suspended from work went on a rampage in a forklift truck. Jake Sharpe, of Dee View Road in Connah’s Quay[1], appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court[2] after admitting common assault.
Prosecutor Justin Espie told the court that police were dispatched to the Iceland Warehouse on Second Avenue in Deeside, after being told that someone was “trying to run over staff whilst driving a forklift truck”. Upon arrival after 1am, officers found the 26-year-old defendant driving around a freezer unit.
The court heard that Sharpe had been told moments before the incident that his bosses were suspending him from work before he said words to the effect of: “You can f*** off, you’ll have to get police here to remove me”. In protest, he got onto the vehicle and drove towards security staff in the warehouse with his middle finger raised.
He eventually stopped and gave himself up, said Mr Espie. The court heard from the Probation Service that Sharpe had worked for the company for around four years before the incident.
He told them he accepted that the way he handled the two-tonne forklift could have caused “serious harm” to his colleagues that night. Defending, Lorraine McClure, said her client was “determined to turn his life around” after the incident.
He accepted he acted recklessly and apologised for his reaction. Deputy District Judge John Rowan said it was clear that Sharpe could have killed someone when carrying out what he branded a “revenge attack”.
He said: “You clearly lost your temper and weren’t thinking straight.” His 12-week prison sentence was suspended for a year.
He was also ordered to complete 90 hours of unpaid work and complete a thinking skills programme as well as pay £200 compensation.
References
- ^ Connah’s Quay (www.dailypost.co.uk)
- ^ Wrexham Magistrates Court (www.dailypost.co.uk)
- ^ Police to patrol Black Rock Sands over Easter break after dispersal order sees teenager arrested (www.dailypost.co.uk)