TWO men have been jailed after a shoplifting spree at a Launceston petrol station spiralled into a violent stabbing.

Casey Foster, 22, of St Catherine’s Hill, Launceston, and Royston Morgan, 23, appeared at Truro Crown Court on Thursday (February 26) for sentencing over the shocking incident at Asda Express on July 2, 2024.

Foster was jailed for 45 months after admitting causing grievous bodily harm with intent and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Morgan, a serving prisoner, was sentenced to 12 months after pleading guilty to theft and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

At the sentencing hearing, the court heard how on the day in question at around 11.25pm Foster and Morgan entered the petrol station. Once inside Morgan picked up a crate of 12 beers worth £10 and left the store making no attempt to pay.

An employee working behind the till challenged the defendants, and a member of public at the petrol station tried to intervene realising the theft of the beer had taken place. Foster and Morgan then attacked the member of the public throwing numerous punches at him.

Seeing this, the employee tried to defend the member of the public and was struck to the head causing him to fall to the ground in the petrol station forecourt. The fall caused him to suffer a large cut to his ear which was bleeding profusely.

Foster then pulled out a large blade and stabbed the member of public who had stepped in several times in the arm and head.

Despite the injuries, the stabbing victim made it home before being taken to Royal Cornwall Hospital for treatment. Fortunately, neither victim sustained any major injuries.

All the offences were caught on CCTV and Foster and Morgan were subsequently arrested.

Officer in the case, Detective Constable Isle Ferguson said: “Casey Foster and Royston Morgan carried out brutal assaults on two entirely innocent victims – one of whom was simply trying to do his job at a place he should have felt safe.

“The other victim was attempting to prevent a theft taking place. It is a matter of good fortune that neither victim suffered more serious injury, but this incident will still have no doubt been terrifying for them both.

“Whenever the decision is taken to carry and then brandish a knife, there is a chance of death. Such violence has no place in our society.”