Man who stabbed store manager had 'long-standing' drug problem

CCTV footage was played at Liverpool Crown Court showing Kyle Paladino, 23, stab manager Ben Lee at Farmfoods on Boundary Road at around 3.30pm on Saturday, October 19, 2019.

Paladino of Beacon Grove, Blackbrook, had pleaded guilty to wounding with intent, possession of a knife and theft of a jar of coffee.

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He was sentenced to four and a half years in prison on Tuesday afternoon (full report here).

The court was told it was a "miracle" that the victim did not suffer "a more serious injury" from the stabbing.

Prosecuting, Kate Gaskell, told the court how Mr Lee had challenged Paladino after seeing the defendant failed to produce a jar of coffee at the store's conveyor belt which he had put in a bag.

She said: "He described Paladino as being irate and aggressive.

"He went to usher him out of the store where he became more aggressive."

During the confrontation, which ended outside the door, Mr Lee saw Paladino come towards him and "turned and held his arms out to protect himself and realised Paladino had a knife in his right hand and blood on the bottom of his t-shirt.

"He noticed Paladino had run away and realised he had been stabbed in the abdomen."

A police cordon outside the store

A victim impact statement stated Mr Lee, who attended the court, "could not take part in strenuous physical activity for six weeks".

It added: "I find it difficult to understand how someone could be so violent" over a jar of coffee.

The court heard Paladino has 14 previous convictions including for possession of a knife in a shop in January 2019 for which he was jailed for 26 weeks.

He was also imprisoned for handling stolen goods in September 2019. Other previous convictions include for burglary, theft and drugs offences.

Defending, Philip Astbury said Paladino was a "young man" and this was "the first time that he has ever used violence".

He said: "This could be properly viewed on the defendant's part as a momentary loss of control, one that is completely out of character and is a single blow.

He said Paladino "expresses his and regret for his actions" and added he has had a "long standing issue with the misuse of drugs."

He added "facing such a long sentence the defendant will have no option but to tackle his long standing drug problem."

Judge Sophie McKone said: "Mr Lee was just doing his job and shouldn't have to face this type of danger in his job and it is through luck that you did not cause him even more serious injury or indeed kill him while he was simply doing his job."

She added: "I accept that you obviously had difficulties in your childhood, that you didn't have the best start in life and since you have been remanded you have taken the opportunity to go to a detoxification programme."

As she passed sentence, there were shouts of support from relatives of Paladino in the public gallery, one shouting "not long".

One supporter said: "Thanks for that judge, giving him a start in life again."