Adrian Edwards, aged 45, tried to steal two bags of rice and some milk from Budgens in Edgbaston
13:42, 25 Jun 2025Updated 18:03, 28 Jun 2025
Budgens on Hooper Street in Edgbaston
A would-be robber pulled out a knife and went to ‘saw’ a shopworker’s arm in a bid to escape, a court heard.
Adrian Edwards tried to steal two bags of rice and a bottle of milk from Budgens in Edgbaston.
But staff suspected the 45-year-old was not going to pay and tried to shut him inside the store, prompting him to attack them.
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Edwards, of no fixed address, has admitted attempted robbery, six charges of theft and possession of cannabis.
He was due to be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday (June 25).
The incident took place at Budgens on Hooper Street shortly before 2pm on January 31 this year.
Prosecutor Jas Dhaliwal, opening the case, stated Jaimal Lakhu was working on the tills when he noticed Edwards ‘circling around the store’ and suspected he was not going to pay.
He subsequently told a colleague to head off the defendant at the shop entrance.
Mr Dhaliwal said Edwards tried to force his way past the worker but ended up being pushed back inside.
He continued: “Mr Lakhu tried to shut the doors while his colleague was grappling with him. The defendant threw a punch.
“The shutters were coming down because Mr Lakhu had activated them.
“The defendant picked up the bag of rice that had dropped to the floor and punched Mr Lakhu in the face with his right hand.
“He forced the door open to the entrance while being held by Mr Lakhu’s colleague.
“He continued to throw punches, which landed, to their body and their heads.
“As the shutters were coming down the defendant pulled out a knife and tried to saw or use a sawing action to Mr Lakhu’s colleague’s wrist.
“He had his arm around the defendant. The defendant pulled out the knife and appeared to saw away at his arm.”
But Judge Samantha Crabb adjourned the case for an update on the impact to the worker and clarification as to what extent he was injured.
She said the case involved ‘quite serious matters’, adding the victims ‘should have been given the opportunity’ to make statements.
The case was adjourned until a later date in July.