Morrisons evacuated as man with 6-inch knife goes on ‘rampage’ and shoppers run for lives

A man went on a “rampage” in a Morrisons store with a six-inch knife. The supermarket in Bradford had to be evacuated after Afghan national asylum seeker, Milad Panjshiri, 22, waved a knife at a female staff member and wrecked ailes while carrying the blade. He chucked wine bottles to the floor as dozens of shoppers, including elderly people, were evacuated.

Panjshiri, of of Deneside Terrace in the city, stabbed cans with the knife and pushed over shelves on December 5, Bradford Crown Court. A judge sentenced him to 18 months in prison, but said he may only serve 40% of this.

Recorder Tony Watkin described the incident as “a very troubling offence” and “something in the way of a rampage”. He added: “He was brandishing that knife in a public place, and there can’t be that many more serious examples of offending of this nature than what happened on that day.

“No doubt because of other incidents that have occurred both the staff and members of the public will have had a heightened awareness of something like this occurring.”

Recorder Watkin also said that prison staff had raised concerns about alleged violence, psychosis, improvised weapons and non-engagement while Panjshiri was in custody, the Mirror reports.

He added: “He will serve potentially 40 per cent of [his] sentence. I don’t know whether he will remain in prison given his immigration status. That is outside the knowledge of this court.”

Staff have told of being left panicked and in tears while trying to guide confused shoppers out of the store.

The court also heard that some members of the public did not know what to do as the chaos unfolded.

Mitigating, Fuad Arshad said mental health issues were a factor in Panjshiri’s behaviour.

They also told the court that there was no evidence that he had attempted to attack members of the public.