Vodka-swilling butcher tortured shop worker in front of customers

Horrified customers watched a vodka-swilling butcher torture a supermarket manager while demanding more drink. Danny Quinney, 22, was dragged round the Haldanes store, now called UGO, in Broxburn, West Lothian, stabbed twice and had vodka spat in his face on January 19. Attacker Rafal Swiderski, 21, kept yelling "Beer!" the High Court in Edinburgh heard. Advocate depute Michael Stuart, prosecuting, said Polish-born Swiderski moved to the UK in March last year. He had worked as a butcher but was unemployed at the time of the robbery.

Judge Lord Bannatyne was told that a customer saw Swiderski walking in and out of the supermarket's storeroom with an open can of beer in his hand, and called shop staff. He seemed drunk and had blood on his face, hands and clothing. As Mr Quinney approached Swiderski to see if he could help, Swiderski shouted "Beer!". He held a knife towards the shop manager and again aggressively demanded beer.


Photo from here.

Mr Quinney tried to fob him off with a bottle of vodka. "The accused took the bottle and drank from it," said Mr Stuart. "Without warning the accused raised his right hand and then stabbed Mr Quinney in the right thigh. The accused drank from the bottle of vodka and spat a mouthful of vodka into Mr Quinney's face." As the shop manager tried to wipe his face on his tee shirt, Swiderski ran his knife along the back of Mr Quinney's neck.

"The accused then began to pace across the floor in front of Mr Quinney before walking up to Mr Quinney and again stabbing him in the right thigh." Customers and shop staff called police who came into the shop and drew their batons. Swiderski dropped his knife and was led away in handcuffs. Mr Quinney will be scarred for life. Swiderski now faces a possible jail sentence after background reports have been prepared. He was remanded in custody to await sentence in July.