Bare-Chested Knifeman Terrorizes McDonald's Diners in Hanley
A bare-chested man armed with a Stanley knife and a pair of scissors caused chaos at a McDonald's restaurant in Hanley, threatening customers and racially abusing a young woman, a court has heard. Joel Lovatt, 25, entered the popular eatery on August 5, 2024, wearing a blue jacket but bare-chested underneath, and began terrorizing patrons in an incident that left diners fleeing for their lives.
Violent Threats and Racial Abuse
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court was told that Lovatt threatened customers with the blade, called a girl with her boyfriend the N-word, and told a 16-year-old lad he would 'slash' him. Prosecutor Brian Williams described how Lovatt appeared under the influence of alcohol and behaved aggressively, waving the Stanley knife and causing customers to run outside the restaurant.
When the manager intervened, Lovatt turned towards him and threatened to slash him as well, but another customer stepped in to prevent further violence. The defendant then left the restaurant but continued his menacing behavior outside, approaching the 16-year-old with the weapons and stating he was going to cut him.
Swift Police Response and Arrest
CCTV footage showed Lovatt walking around the area with the Stanley knife in hand before police were called and arrested him. He was found in possession of the Stanley knife, a packet of blades for it, and a pair of scissors. Lovatt, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to affray, two charges of possession of an article with a blade or point in public, and failing to surrender to bail.
Court Sentencing and Judge's Remarks
Recorder Robert Smith sentenced Lovatt to 18 months in jail, noting that he had spent seven months in custody on remand. The judge condemned Lovatt's actions, stating, "You were behaving bizarrely, talking to yourself, threatening complete random strangers with a Stanley knife. You shouted at a female, calling her the N-word, and threatened to slash people. People were running away, fleeing, terrified and in fear for their lives."
He added, "There was racial abuse. The word that you used has no place in a civilised society. It upsets people on the receiving end and the court takes an extremely dim view of that word. You were heavily intoxicated. You acted like a madman armed with two knives in a public place. There is no excuse for what you did."
In mitigation, Nick Tatlow said Lovatt cannot explain his behavior and noted his history of homelessness and alcohol abuse, with only one prior adult conviction for being drunk and disorderly. The judge ordered the deprivation of the scissors, knife, and blades as part of the sentence.
