A disturbance at a Swansea pizza takeaway turned violent after a drunken man threatened to stab a fellow customer with a pair of scissors, Swansea Crown Court has heard. The alarming events unfolded shortly before midnight on 15 May on St Helen’s Road, an area usually bustling with late-night activity.
According to evidence presented in court, Gavin Morris, aged 36 and of no fixed address, entered the restaurant visibly intoxicated. Witnesses described him as stumbling and slurring his words upon arrival. Instead of waiting quietly, Morris began bothering other customers who were there to collect their orders, prompting staff and diners to ask him to leave.
Rather than departing peacefully, Morris’s behaviour escalated. The court was told that he challenged a customer to step outside for a fight. At that point, Morris produced a pair of scissors from his coat pocket and made verbal threats to stab the man. The confrontation left those in the shop frightened, and the victim, fearing for his safety, quickly called the police emergency line.
In a bid to escape, Morris ran from the pizza shop and attempted to hide by entering several nearby businesses. During his flight, he disposed of the scissors in one of these premises, although officers quickly recovered the weapon. Police, acting on the 999 call, arrived at the scene within minutes and apprehended Morris on St Helen’s Road.
Gavin Morris was formally charged and subsequently admitted one count of threatening a person with a bladed or sharply pointed article in a public place. Appearing for sentencing, he was given a 27-month prison term. Under sentencing guidelines, Morris will serve up to half of this period in custody before being considered for release on licence, enabling supervision within the community for the remainder.
South Wales Police welcomed the outcome. PC Joshua Carter, who investigated the incident, commented after sentencing: “Morris posed a significant threat to the victim and people in the area that evening. He was drunk and dangerous, and I’m pleased to see the sentence handed down to him.” Police authorities emphasised the seriousness of carrying and using bladed weapons, noting the risks posed to public safety.
Incidents involving bladed articles remain a concern for law enforcement across Wales, with officers reiterating that there will be swift action against those who carry blades or threaten violence in public. Figures show an increase in knife-related incidents remains an ongoing challenge for communities and police are urging the public to report suspicious or threatening behaviour promptly.
The case also highlights a wider issue facing city centres at night, where late-night revellers and intoxicated individuals sometimes create challenging situations for businesses and other members of the public. Shop workers and customers have reported an uptick in aggressive incidents, leading many to call for greater police presence and more robust deterrents in town centres.
For now, residents and business operators in Swansea have expressed relief at the resolution of this particular case, hoping it sends a message that anti-social and violent conduct will not be tolerated. The swift action of police and the seriousness with which the courts treated Morris’s actions serve as a stark reminder that such behaviour has significant consequences.