Teen skateboarding inside Blackburn Mall without face mask on attacked security guard
Blackburn UK Dec 15 2020 A Blackburn Mall security guard was assaulted when he asked a man to refrain from skateboarding inside the shopping centre and to wear a face mask.
Blackburn magistrates heard that when police arrested Anthony Devine he had a craft knife in his pocket.
Devine, 18, of St Peter Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article in a public place and assaulting Arshad Mahmood. He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement, fined £20 with £85 costs and £95 victim surcharge.
Samantha Hayward, prosecuting, said Devine was told he had to wear a mask in the Mall and asked to refrain from skateboarding.
“He told the security officer to get out of his way and pushed him in the chest,” said Miss Hayward.
She said Devine had no previous convictions.
Gareth Price, defending, said his client was aware that possession of a blade had a starting point of a custodial sentence.
“There is no suggestion the blade was produced or used to threaten anybody,” said Mr Price.
“He says that earlier in the day he had a legitimate excuse for carrying the item in connection with a job he was doing but accepts that was not the case when he was in the town centre.”
