Asda row gets out of hand after shopper punches fellow customer in the face

A row over a queue in Asda became out of hand when a charity worker punched another shopper at supermarket’s customer service desk.

Shahid Younis, 39, became frustrated while queuing at the Fosse Park store in Leicester on May 24.

The incident occurred when Younis, accompanied by his heavily pregnant wife, attempted to persuade a man in front of him to leave the queue.

After an exchange of insults, Younis struck the man, causing him to fall and injure his shoulder.

Younis initially left the store but later returned to apologise and provide his details to staff.

Younis, a former drug addict with 88 previous offences, now works for Turning Point, a charity in Leicester city centre.

At Leicester Magistrates’ Court on November 1, Younis pleaded guilty to assault by beating.

His lawyer, Harvinder Gahir, described the incident as a “moment of madness” and explained that Younis is the sole earner for his family.

He explained: “He got in a position where he was committing offences to fuel his drug addiction.

“He now works at Turning Point assisting people with the same issues he had.

“He’s in a trusted position at Turning Point. The sentence you pass today will have a long-lasting effect on Mr Younis.

“If a community order is imposed his job and occupation would be affected.

“He can’t be holding the session one day and then be in the session himself the next.”

The court opted for a conditional discharge rather than a community order, which could have jeopardised Younis’s employment at Turning Point.

The magistrates ordered Younis to pay £50 compensation to the victim, along with £85 court costs and a £26 victim surcharge.

Helen Darling, chair of the bench, warned Younis: “You’ve been very lucky today so I suggest you stay out of trouble.”