A man who threatened to stab Countdown employees while stealing wine was given a prison sentence in the Whanganui District Court yesterday .
Ora Neilson appeared on one charge of demanding with menaces for the February 22 incident, where he entered Countdown supermarket on Victoria Ave and tried to steal some wine.
Judge David Cameron said Neilson was in an intoxicated state when he picked up the two cases of wine and removed the bladders, hiding them in his backpack.
"That was witnessed by a duty manager," Judge Cameron said.
Neilson attempted to leave but was followed by the duty manager and security guard, who asked to look in his backpack.
He then told them: "Let me go or I'll knife you," Judge Cameron said.
The two employees stepped away in case Neilson did have a knife, and he went back into the supermarket looking for an alternative exit.
He grabbed a glass bottle of wine and held it above his head by the neck in a threatening manner, saying: "Let me go or I'll bottle you."
"He exited the supermarket prior to the arrival of the police and was followed," said Judge Cameron.
Neilson had a range of convictions from 2009-13.
Judge Cameron sentenced him to six months' imprisonment and ordered him to pay reparation of $42.98.