Sacked anti-stress ball packer punched boss in the face

A man lost his temper when he was sacked from his job packing anti-stress balls. Darren Baldwin turned on the warehouse manager who dismissed him, then clashed with a fellow worker who went to the manager’s aid. At one stage he pulled out two knives.

Baldwin, 44, of Sidford Court, Blackpool, admitted affray and assault when he appeared before Blackpool magistrates. Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said when novelty firm SPS, said they were having to let Baldwin go from the temporary job, his manager who passed on the bad news was punched in the face.



She said: “Baldwin then produced two knives and the victim was in fear of his life. Baldwin showed the knives to his colleague and started to shout threats like ‘I will cut you up’.” The court heard Baldwin left the Sycamore trading estate in Blackpool, where the company was based. He was arrested later.

In interview he denied the offences but changed his plea on the day of a planned trial. The court heard the knives were tools of his trade in the warehouse. His case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports and he was bailed on condition he does not enter the trading estate in Blackpool.