A man from Ross-on-Wye appeared in Hereford Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Thursday, February 18th) and pleaded guilty to four offences; two counts of theft, common assault, and the possession of a blade.

33-year-old John Murphy, from River View, Ross-on-Wye, will be sentenced at a later trial, which is scheduled for Friday, May 20th.

Murphy stole items from Spar and Sainsbury’s, before he assaulted the store manager of Sainsbury’s. The blade of a knife was later discovered in his hoodie, which he left behind in an attempt to escape.