A WINCHESTER teenager has narrowly avoided a jail sentence for threatening a shopworker.
Craig Charles, 19, of Teg Down Meads, Teg Down, admitted threatening behaviour towards Kate Middlebrook at the Co-op store in Stoney Lane, Weeke, on September 12 and September 14.
He also pleaded guilty to the same charge against PC Thelwell on September 16.
Magistrates at Basingstoke heard Charles has a history of repeat offending against Ms Middlebrook.
They sentenced him to 16 weeks in prison suspended for a year. He was also ordered to participate in a thinking skills programme for 20 days, pay compensation of £120 to Ms Middlebrook and £50 to PC Thelwell.
Magistrates also imposed a restraining order for him not to contact or communicate, directly or indirectly, Ms Middlebrook or loiter outside or enter the Co-op, Stoney Lane.
There was no victim surcharge as magistrates heard Charles cannot afford to pay that and compensation.
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