Samurai sword attacker's Sainsbury's Blackpole rampage

Full details of the bloody rampage by Philip Mapp in Sainsbury's in Windermere Drive, Blackpole, Worcester were revealed at Worcester Crown Court today as the sword attacker was jailed for five years and two months.

The victim was lucky not to lose the sight in his left eye and will be scarred for life.

JAILED: Philip Mapp who launched a terrifying attack on a Sainsbury's security guard using a samurai sword (Image: West Mercia Police)

"Members of the public and members of staff would have been utterly horrified at what they saw," said Jonathan Barker, prosecuting.

Before the attack, which left security guard Jai Gopal needing 12 stitches to his face, the 45-year-old had chased another man around a pool table of the Blackpole Inn brandishing the same sword while shouting: "I run Saddlers. I run Warndon!"

Armed police responded after a series of 999 calls from the public during the incident on May 17.

ARMED: Armed police at Sainsbury's in Blackpole at the time of the incident (Image: Submitted)

A count of attempted murder will be allowed to lie on file.

Instead, the lead offence for which Mapp was sentenced was wounding with intent. Mapp of Windermere Drive also admitted affray, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of cannabis.

READ MORE: Philip Mapp denies attempted murder at Sainsbury's Blackpole

READ MORE: Philip Mapp from Worcester charged with attempted murder

Jonathan Barker, prosecuting, said people called 999 after Mapp was seen 'waving a samurai sword' in the Blackpole Inn but police were not initially able to find him.

Inside the supermarket, a member of staff described Mapp as 'distressed' and offered him a glass of water.

When security guard Mr Gopal asked Mapp if he had a knife 'the defendant said words to the effect of he had nothing to worry about'. 

Mr Gopal then 'encouraged the defendant to leave and, in fact, offered to walk him to the checkout', said Mr Barker.

As Mapp approached him with the sword Mr Gopal 'pulled away and told the defendant to calm down'.

Mapp delivered 'three to four blows', one of which connected with Mr Gopal's face and required 12 stitches at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

When arrested Mapp 'accepted he had been drinking throughout the day'. In interview, he said he had no recollection of the incident.

Mr Gopal made a victim impact statement on September 24. Summarising Mr Gopal's statement, Mr Barker said: "He has become very anxious especially when he is at work and worries he will be assaulted again. He still has a scar over his eye which he will have to live with." 

Mapp had five convictions for seven previous offences including a racially aggravated public order offence in 2014 and convictions for battery in 2012, ABH in 1997 and common assault from 1996.

Abigail Nixon, defending, submitted character references on Mapp's behalf and his mother supported him at court.

"He is portrayed by those who know him best as a loving, caring, hard-working family man," said Miss Nixon. She said he had slipped through the net of mental health services. 

Miss Nixon said Mapp had expressed 'genuine remorse for behaving in a way that's entirely out of character' and was described by family as 'a gentle man'.

Judge Martin Jackson, sentencing, said: "In a shopping area where members of the public were present that must have been a terrifying incident for everybody involved," said the judge.