Hartlepool barber feared he may be stabbed when 'aggressive' customer grabbed scissors

Temitayo Adesanya pulled the ornamental scissors from the wall during a fracas witnessed by staff and customers inside the Golden Scissors, on Victoria Road, Hartlepool.

Teesside Crown Court heard he was aggressive towards the owner of the shop by pushing out at him with his fists and threatened to smash up the shop, causing the owner to fear for his safety.

Adesanya, 38, pleaded guilty to affray and was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

Dr Chris Wood, prosecuting, said the incident happened after Adesanya entered the shop just after 10am on October 5 last year.

He said: “The defendant approached Mr Issmat and pushed out at him while Mr Issmat describes the defendant as using both hands in the shape of a fist ‘to push my chest’.

"He continues to be aggressive towards Mr Issmat and witnesses present made efforts to try to calm the situation.”

Dr Wood said Adesanya was recorded on CCTV squaring up to the shop owner before taking the eight-inch scissors off the wall.

"Once the defendant removed the scissors he then held them up in he air.

"Mr Issmat describes at that point he feared he was going to be stabbed and was genuinely fearful.”

Members of the public flagged down passing police and Adesanya was arrested.

In a victim personal statement Mr Issmat said: “I see no reason why a person should be able to come into my business and act like this.”

Representing himself in court Adesanya claimed he reacted after being called an offensive name in the shop.

The judge said he could not be sure he had been but was prepared to accept Adesanya believed he had been insulted.

Adesanya, previously of Middleton Road, Hartlepool, now of Wye Street, London, said: "I regret my action.

"It was not my intention to scare anyone when I went in the shop.”

Imposing am 18-month community order, Judge Howard Crowson accepted no one was hurt in the incident and Adesanya had acted out of character.

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