Four-and-a-Half Year Sentence for Violent Birmingham Rampage
A Birmingham man has been jailed for four-and-a-half years after embarking on a violent rampage at a popular Toby Carvery restaurant, following an early morning vodka binge that began at 7am.
Chaos Unfolds Across Multiple Locations
Chad Pulisciano, 33, from Bristol Road in Selly Oak, caused widespread disruption and fear during a series of incidents that occurred on June 19 last year. The court heard how his destructive behaviour spanned multiple establishments in the Birmingham area, leaving staff and members of the public traumatised.
The day of chaos began at approximately 1.20pm when Pulisciano entered a Londis store on Shirley Road. Prosecutor Laura Coton described how he appeared "agitated" before becoming "aggressive" and beginning to destroy property within the shop.
During this initial incident, Pulisciano threw items including cans at shop workers while reportedly declaring "I'm going to kill someone." He caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage to a lottery display stand, a coffee machine, and multiple packs of Pepsi before leaving with several drinks he had not paid for.
Toby Carvery Forced to Lock Its Doors
Approximately one hour after the Londis incident, Pulisciano arrived at the Toby Carvery on Stratford Road in Hall Green. He initially approached a female worker behind the bar, slurring his words and struggling to speak while requesting drinks and cigarettes.
Ms Coton told Birmingham Crown Court: "He said he was due to have a party and he would like a drink and cigarettes. He was told they didn't sell them. He was slurring his words and struggling to speak. He said 'sorry I'm a bit p****d'."
After leaving briefly, Pulisciano returned and pushed past staff to steal a bottle of rum from the refrigerator. When two female workers attempted to intervene, he held the bottle above his head and threatened to smash them with it, leaving both women fearing for their safety.
Knife Theft Escalates the Situation
The situation became increasingly dangerous when Pulisciano left the restaurant and stole a knife from a nearby chip shop. Armed with the blade, he returned to the Toby Carvery for a third time and swung it at the manager who had told him he was not permitted to enter.
The quick-thinking manager retreated and instructed customers to move inside before locking the restaurant doors to prevent Pulisciano from gaining entry. Undeterred, the defendant then turned his attention to members of the public outside, who fled in terror as he advanced toward them.
Pulisciano made a final attempt to enter the restaurant, banging on the glass doors with the knife before police eventually located him hiding in a nearby tree.
Court Hears Extensive Criminal History
During sentencing at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday, January 28, it was revealed that Pulisciano had committed more than 40 previous offences. His criminal record included convictions for violence, robbery, weapon offences, and driving violations.
Defence barrister Joshua Radcliffe acknowledged the severity of his client's actions, stating: "This was a man on a rampage. Clearly he was not thinking and clearly he caused distress. That was not his purpose. His purpose was to obtain the rum."
Mr Radcliffe added that Pulisciano felt "ashamed" and deeply regretted his actions, while also highlighting the defendant's ongoing struggles with mental health and substance abuse issues. The court heard that Pulisciano had "put his time in custody to good use" since the incidents occurred.
Judge Addresses Intoxication as Primary Factor
Passing sentence, Judge Samantha Crabb told Pulisciano: "I accept your issues pertaining to mental health but quite clearly the driving factor behind this was not your mental health, rather intoxication and the drink you had consumed."
Pulisciano pleaded guilty to multiple charges including:
- Robbery
- Theft
- Threatening another with an offensive weapon
- Having a bladed article in public
- Assault
- Criminal damage
The four-and-a-half year prison sentence reflects the serious nature of the offences and the significant distress caused to staff and members of the public during Pulisciano's destructive rampage across Birmingham establishments.
