Tequilla King, a 25-year-old woman from Newcastle, was sentenced to jail for threatening a shop manager with a knife in a Premier store located on Newton Road, Heaton. The incident occurred on August 13 of the previous year, when King was asked to leave the premises after having been banned from the store due to prior offenses. In response, she became aggressive, swearing at the staff before brandishing a knife, which resulted in chaos as terrified customers and employees fled the scene.

During the frightening encounter, a member of the female staff testified that she felt King was prepared to carry out her threats to stab the manager. However, despite the panic unfolding around him, the shop manager remained calm and sought refuge behind the Post Office till while contacting the police for assistance. The severity of King's actions prompted the Newcastle Crown Court to take a firm stance, with Recorder Nathan Moxon condemning her behavior and emphasizing the threats made against the manager.

King's sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by retail workers, who may find themselves in perilous situations due to unruly customers. The case has implications for discussions surrounding retail security and the need for clear protocols to protect staff and customers alike in instances of violence or aggression. Overall, this incident highlights the importance of maintaining safety in public spaces, especially retail environments where volatility can escalate rapidly due to confrontation.