Man tried to lock customers inside fish and chip shop during 'bizzarre' rampage

NICHOLAS STEPHENSON RAN OUT IN FRONT OF CARS DURING THE INCIDENT 07:39, 22 May 2025 A man tried to lock customers inside a fish and chip shop during a 'bizarre' episode, a court

has heard. Nicholas Stephenson was seen behaving erratically and ran in front of vehicles during the incident. The 41-year-old was found in an agitated state when police arrived at the scene

in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, on January 11 and force was needed to restrain him. Stephenson, who represented himself at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, explained that he had not taken his

medication for psychosis before the incident. READ MORE: RARE CONDITION MAKES IDENTICAL TWIN BOYS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SIZES He was fined £50 and handed a six-month conditional discharge,

StokeonTrentLive reports. Article continues below Prosecutor Emmanuel Coniah said members of the public called the police and reported that the defendant had attempted to lock customers

inside the Venus fish bar in Lichfield Street. He added: "They said he was running in front of moving vehicles at the roundabout between the fish bar and the bus station. "When

police arrived he appeared agitated and said he was going to beat up people. He walked in front of moving vehicles. "Several cars had to swerve in an attempt not to hit him. Police had

to use force to restrain him. "He appeared to be intoxicated. His pupils were wide, his speech slurred and he was foaming at the mouth." Stephenson, of Reading Way, Bucknall,

pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive words or behaviour. The offence placed him in breach of a five-month suspended sentence he received on April 3, 2024, for affray and resisting a

police officer. Stephenson said: "I tried to get tablets from everywhere. If I do not have them my mental health is serious. "Everyone thinks I am on drugs and I am not. I do not

take drugs. I do not drink no more. If I do not keep on medication my mental health is serious. "I have one-to-ones with a psychiatrist from May 27. I have been waiting for them. I have

not just sat back. "I have done things to try to help my health. I have got back-up medication. I started halving my medication so I have enough, just in case I do run out. "All I

can say is I am sorry. It was due to my health, so I apologise." Article continues below Judge Graeme Smith told him: "You have said, and there is no evidence to rebut that, the

reason for this frankly erratic and bizarre behaviour was simply you were not having any medication. "It was because of your inability to obtain it. It is a less serious offence than

the original one."