Police chief bites back at butty shop knifeman

A LUNCHTIME trip to the butty shop took a dramatic turn for Oldham’s police chief after a man stole a knife from behind the counter.

Chief Supt Tim Forber was in the queue at Chambers Sandwich Shop in George Square with PC Jonathan Bott when Ian McFarlane ran in and took the 6in kitchen knife from the dishwasher.

The officers gave chase and arrested the 33-year-old outside the shop at 11.30am on Wednesday.

McFarlane (33), of no fixed abode, was charged with racially aggravated public order and carrying an offensive weapon.

He pleaded guilty to both charges at Oldham Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

Justine Whitworth, defending, said McFarlane, who has a history of alcohol abuse and is receiving counselling for mental health problems, had been going through a rough patch with his family.

The night before the knife incident, police had been called to his family home in High Crompton following an argument. McFarlane then left the house and drank two bottles of cider in near-by woods. Police were called again after McFarlane started a fire to keep warm.

He was taken to the police station to prevent a breach of the peace.

When McFarlane was released the following morning, a young Asian man spat on the floor near his foot outside the butty shop. McFarlane challenged the man and the pair argued which prompted McFarlane to take the knife.

When he was tackled by police he made a racist comment about the man.

District Judge James Prowse adjourned the case Thursday, June 3, to allow doctors to assess McFarlane’s mental health.