Morrisons evacuated as man with 6-inch knife goes on ‘rampage’ and shoppers run for lives | UK | News

A man attacked a Morrisons store with a 15cm knife. The supermarket in Bradford had to be evacuated after Afghan national asylum seeker Milad Panjshiri, 22, brandished a knife at a female staff member and harmed families while carrying the knife. Dozens of customers, including elderly people, threw wine bottles to the ground as they were evacuated.

Panjshiri, of Deneside Terrace in the city, stabbed cans and pushed shelves at Bradford Crown Court on December 5. The judge sentenced him to 18 months in prison, but said he could only serve 40% of that.

Recorder Tony Watkin described the incident as a “very disturbing attack” and “something akin to a tantrum”. He added: “He was brandishing that knife in a public place and there can be no more serious examples of aggression of this nature than what happened that day.

“There will no doubt be an increased awareness from other incidents that have occurred from both staff and the public that something like this has occurred.”

Recorder Watkin also said that while Panjshiri was in custody, prison staff raised concerns about violence, psychosis, improvised weapons and allegations of failure to engage. Mirror reports.

He added: “It will potentially serve 40 per cent of the population. [his] sentence. I don’t know if he will remain in prison given his immigration status. “This is beyond the knowledge of this court.”

Staff said they panicked and burst into tears as they tried to get confused customers out of the store.

The court also heard some members of the public were at a loss as to what to do as chaos ensued.

In mitigation, Fuad Arshad said mental health issues were a factor in Panjshiri’s behaviour.

They also told the court there was no evidence he was trying to attack members of the public.