A shop employee in Lurgan feared being assaulted by a man who had bought a bat.
Details emerged as James Connors appeared at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday via video link from prison.
The 24-year-old defendant was at Sports Direct in Lurgan on October 1 last year.
The employee suspected items were stolen and when she challenged a man and woman Connors became aggressive “as he had a bat he had purchased. She feared for her safety”.
The defendant, of Ganna Way in Warrenpoint, admitted a charge of assault and the theft of goods worth £80.
He had also put a staff member at Around-a-Pound shop in Lurgan in fear of assault on the same day and attempting to steal items worth £9 from that shop.
The court heard he had a record.
Connors was given a six months prison term.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan said “two people were assaulted, albeit technically, whilst at their place of work”.
A co-accused, Aoife Louise O’Hare (27), of Craigmore View, Newry, admitted stealing items worth £80 from Sports Direct and attempting to steal £9 worth of items from Around-A-Pound. Her case was adjourned to September 12 for a pre-sentence report.
