Shocking moment shoplifter who attacked Co Op staff is put in a choke hold by 'have-a-go hero' customer hours before he died
The 52-year-old man - named locality as James - was attempting to steal food and alcohol from the Co-Op in Torpoint, Cornwall on August 6 when workers tried to intervene.
Witnesses say James - who was an alcoholic with tattoos on his face and neck - threatened staff when he was told to return stolen items and lashed out at several customers who tried to help.
Another customer put James in a choke hold until he lost consciousness and when police arrived. He was rushed to hospital but later pronounced dead.
The man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of assault.
James lived with his sister Claire on a houseboat moored at a marina in the town.
Few neighbours were willing to pay tribute to him with one describing him as an 'alcoholic'.
One added: 'He got what was coming to him - this couldn't have happened to a more deserving person.
'He has made people's lives a misery and threatened nearly everybody here.
'He was dearly loved by his sister but nobody else has a good word to say about him.
'He's spent several years in prison, I think for manslaughter, because he punched a guy in the face and he died.'
Shopkeepers in the Cornish town said James had often been seen walking around carrying open cans of strong alcohol.
One said: 'I was in the shop when it happened. He was stopped by staff and was abusing them.
'Members of the public stepped in and he was trying to fight them. Eventually the big black guy was on top of him restraining him.
'I saw the moment he lost consciousness, the guy flipped him over straight away and checked his pulse. He wasn't trying to hurt him.
'I feel sorry for the guy who was arrested. He got him around the neck but he had to otherwise more people would have been hurt.'
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: 'A 52-year-old man has died in hospital following an incident in Torpoint on Wednesday, August 6.
'Police were called at 4.45pm following reports of a disturbance at Co-op Food in Fore Street.
'During the incident the man was restrained by another customer but became unresponsive a short time later.
'The man, from Torpoint, was treated by paramedics and taken to Derriford Hospital.
'Police are continuing their enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
'Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is asked to contact police online or by telephone on 101, quoting log number 696 of August 6, 2025.'
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