Drunk knifeman terrorises Wetherspoons staff – locked up for two years!
A Herne Bay man has been jailed for over two years after threatening pub staff with a handful of steak knives in a terrifying, unprovoked attack.
Steak knives and smashed glass in midnight meltdown
John Hazelgrove, 24, stormed into the Wetherspoons kitchen on Central Parade on the evening of August 15, 2018. Two staff members were working when they spotted he was visibly drunk.
When one asked Hazelgrove to leave, he flew into a rage. He hurled a basket from a chip pan fryer at a door, smashing the glass to bits. Then things took a deadly turn.
Knives brandished, chilling threats made
Hazelgrove shoved one victim against the kitchen counter, grabbed several steak knives, and pressed them to the man’s throat and stomach. “Get him down here or I’ll kill you,” he snarled, demanding the other staff member return.
A third member of staff witnessed the terrifying scene but managed to raise the alarm with the duty manager.
Arrest and guilty plea end nightmare
Hazelgrove fled but was soon found by police in nearby Memorial Gardens, still clutching a steak knife. At Canterbury Crown Court on January 14, 2019, he initially denied charges but later changed his plea to guilty for affray, making threats to kill, and possessing a bladed article.
He was sentenced on January 21 to 30 months behind bars.
“He showed no remorse for his actions and waited until the last possible minute to change his plea to guilty,” said PC Bradley Geear. “His actions left lasting mental scars on the victims. The court reflected the seriousness of the offence in sentencing.”
Kent Police remain committed to tackling violent crime and delivering justice for victims.
