A MAN who had violent outbursts at two Chard shops within minutes of each other, shouting and swearing and threatening staff and customers, has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Robert Williams Way went “nose to nose” with one female shop worker at the Co-op store and was shouting a tirade of verbal abuse.

Minutes after leaving he was seen at Tesco shouting at an elderly male customer.

During both incidents he was agitated, waving his arms around and threatening violence, and was eventually found by the police on the A30 where he was threatening to harm himself.

Way, 24, of Seaborough View, Crewkerne, admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent towards Sophie Chaffey to cause her to believe that immediate violence would be used against her at the Co-op on October 15.

He also admitted a similar offence towards Tracey Bowker at Tesco on the same date when he appeared before Somerset Magistrates at Yeovil.

Emma Lenanton, prosecuting, said Way was heard outside the Co-op store in Chard shouting and then entered the shop waving his arms around.

She said Ms Chaffey approached Way, who shouted expletives at her, and added: “He was behaving aggressively and appeared to be agitated and when she politely asked him to leave he came close to her, nose to nose, and said he would smack her out.”

“The victim felt intimidated and believed he was going to be violent and as he shouted he had spittle coming out of his mouth.”

Another colleague told the defendant to leave and he swore at her too but then walked out, still shouting and swearing, but shortly afterwards turned up at the Tesco store.

The manager, Tracey Bowker, saw Way shouting at an elderly male customer by the deli aisle, aggressively challenging him to a fight, before swearing at staff and leaving.

“He repeated the comment to staff members on duty and was seen to be waving his arms around in an aggressive manner as if he wanted people to fight him,” said Miss Lenanton.

“He continued to shout and swear and once at the main door to the supermarket said “f*** the lot of you” and then left while the police were called.

Miss Lenaton added: “Officers found Way on the A30 where he was being aggressive and threatening to harm himself and incapacitant spray had to be used to control him.”

Defending, Ray Peters said it was quite clear that Way was suffering with mental health issues.

“These particular incidents were committed against the backdrop of an evening out the previous day when my client consumed far too much alcohol,” he said.

“When he drinks he gets very upset about what he has put his family through and then loses it.”

He added that Way was waiting for an appointment with the mental health team for therapy and said his problems were always exacerbated when he consumes alcohol.

The magistrates sentenced Way to a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for one year, along with a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement.