"Unemployed for a Year Due to COVID Lockdown"… British Man Causes 'Crash' Rampage with Liquor Bottles in Supermarket

Alvarez is causing a disturbance by overturning liquor bottles in the mart.
Photo by The Sun capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] A man who caused a disturbance by smashing bottles of alcohol displayed in a large supermarket in the UK was ordered to pay ?5,000 (about 8 million KRW) in compensation.

On the 18th (local time), The Sun reported, "The court sentenced Barbara Stanzi Alvarez (36), who was accused of smashing hundreds of bottles of alcohol at a supermarket in Stevenage in November 2020, to 12 weeks in prison. She was also ordered to pay ?5,000 (about 8 million KRW) in compensation to the supermarket."

Earlier, Alvarez caused a disturbance for about five minutes by smashing bottles of alcohol displayed on the supermarket shelves. She walked along the aisle with her arm hooked on the shelf, sweeping hundreds of bottles of alcohol to the floor. The floor was covered with broken bottles, and puddles of alcohol formed as the liquid spilled out.

About 90 seconds after she started the disturbance, a broken bottle fell onto Alvarez’s hand, injuring it, but she did not stop. Alvarez’s rampage caused property damage worth about ?10,000 to the supermarket.

At the court, the prosecution stated, "Alvarez went straight to the aisle with alcohol and pulled hundreds of bottles from the shelves. When she reached the end of the aisle, she returned to the beginning and repeated the same behavior."

They added, "The police who arrived at the scene took Alvarez, whose hand was injured, to the hospital first. However, at the hospital, Alvarez kicked the hospital security guard’s shin and hurled racist insults."

Meanwhile, Alvarez admitted all charges in court. Regarding the reason for the crime, she said, "I was unable to work throughout 2020 due to the COVID-19 lockdown and was in a difficult state due to unemployment. I have suffered mental distress and am currently receiving medication."

The court explained the sentencing, saying, "Many people were unable to work and faced similar hardships during the COVID-19 lockdown, but they did not behave in such a manner. She also caused harm to the hospital security guard."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.