Bilston convenience store customer stabs shopkeeper in back with screwdriver

William Rogan - a regular at Lifestyle Express in Constantine Way, Bilston - suddenly turned on Balbinder Singh, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

The 21-year-old came up behind the victim and plunged a screwdriver into his back before running off, said Mr Robert Edwards, prosecuting.

He explained: "Mr Singh felt a sharp pain in the upper middle of his back. He was facing in the opposite direction but eyewitnesses saw what happened. He suffered a small puncture wound to his back and was saved from serious injury by his padded jacket."

Rogan, who had never caused any problem during frequent earlier visits to the shop, snapped after a problem with his electricity payment card prevented him from using it at the store on October 17.

Mr Edwards said: "Mr Singh was outside supervising work on the shop shutter when the defendant swore at him as he left. He went inside to ask the staff what the problem was and they told him what had happened.

"Twenty minutes later Mr Singh was still outside testing the shutters when the defendant returned and stabbed him."

The shopkeeper said afterwards that the way the screwdriver cut through the heavy jacket and into his skin showed how hard the blow had been. The weapon was later found where it had been dropped by Rogan as he fled.

The attacker admitted the crime when traced by police. Mr Edwards concluded: "He explained he was angry at not being able to put money on the electricity payment card, came back to the shop and took out his frustration on Mr Singh."

Rogan from Great Bridge, Moxley, pleaded guilty to assault and possession of an offensive weapon and was given a community order under supervision for three years with a mental health treatment requirement.

Judge Martin Walsh said, after reading a psychiatric report on the defendant: "Whilst you were unwell you assaulted a local shopkeeper whose injuries could have been very great indeed. Your condition has been identified and you are now receiving appropriate medication. It is in the interests of the community at large, and you in particular, that this should continue."