Lurpak thief locked up for three years after threatening staff with needles

Ella King was already banned from the stores she targeted

Peter Craig Reporter

05:00, 08 Oct 2025Updated 13:23, 08 Oct 2025

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Lurpak thief Ella King(Image: Humberside Police)

A prolific shoplifter threatened staff with needles in a crime spree in stores from which she was already barred. Ella King, 25, of Boulevard, Hull, admitted three offences of robbery at stores where she took butter and laundry items.

Stephen Welch, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that King already had 85 offences recorded against her, including 29 for shoplifting. He said staff at Heron Foods on hessle -road>Hessle Road, Hull spotted King filling a bag with Lurpak at around 1pm on June 9, this year. When she was challenged she turned on one member of staff and shouted "I have a pin (needle) and I will hit you with it."

The staff member later told police in a statement: "This is so unacceptable. I should not have to deal with threats to stab me when I come to work. Some people are scared to come to work."

The following day, again at Heron Foods on Hessle Road and again at shortly after 1pm King was spotted by a staff member who recognised her from the day before. She was filling a bag with Lurpak.

She shouted at staff "I have got to do it. Come any closer and i will pin you." She fled with 74 worth of butter.

On June 12 at Morrisons on Greenwood Avenue, another store from which she was barred. She took items of laundry valued at 55 and when challenged, shouted at staff "I have a needle."

She was arrested a short time later by police and was found in possession of a shard of glass in her jacket. Mr Welch said the defendant had a history of violence.

Amber Hobson, mitigating, said that King pleaded guilty, made admissions and regretted her behaviour. She was in custody on remand.

Recorder Andrew Walker jailed King for a total of three years.

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