A 55-year-old Ipswich man who threatened to stab a shop assistant who tried to stop him leaving a store with a basket of shopping he hadn’t paid for has been jailed for 45 months.

Mark Ely was seen filling a shopping basket in the Dunelm store in Bury Road, Ipswich in November last year with items and going to the exit without paying for them, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

When a member of staff took hold of the basket Ely tried to get items out of the basket and told her: “Get off me or I’ll f****** stab you”.

Mark Ely has been jailed for more than three years after admitting to the offences at Ipswich Crown Court. Mark Ely has been jailed for more than three years after admitting to the offences at Ipswich Crown Court. (Image: Suffolk Constabulary)

Ely had also threatened a member of staff at a Premier store in Reynolds Road Ipswich on December 21 last year with the blade of a multi-tool after he was challenged when he tried to steal a bottle of alcohol.

The member of staff feared he was going to be stabbed during the incident during which Ely had also thrown a can of drink at a glass door causing it to smash.

As he left the store Ely told the shop assistant that he was going to cut his throat.

Mark Ely threatened a staff member at the store on December 21.Mark Ely threatened a staff member at the store on December 21. (Image: Google Maps)

Ely of Milton Street, Ipswich, admitted robbery at Dunelm on November 19 last year, attempted theft from the Premier Store on December 21 and threatening a member of staff with a multi-tool with a knife blade.

Sentencing Ely via a prison video link on Monday ( July 22) Judge David Pugh said he had a history of mental health issues.

Adam Norris for Ely said his client had been in custody for seven months.

He said that during that time Ely had received help for his mental health issues and described his prison stay as “constructive”.