3 days ago
Revealed: The bodycam footage that proves security guard sacked for 'attacking violent shoplifter' is innocent
A security guard sacked for assaulting a violent thief has been cleared after bodycam footage proved that he was actually the person being attacked.
Prolific shoplifter Peter Swinbourne, who has racked up 60 previous convictions, including 35 for violence, was a well-known troublemaker in Worcester.
When he arrived at the Tesco Express in Foregate Street, security officer Wayne Price, 40, was on duty.
Swinbourne was trying to force his way inside the shop on September 26 last year as Mr Price, who was employed as a Safer Streets Officer with Worcester BID, radioed for back-up.
Mr Price calmly asked Swinbourne to leave the shop doorway, but he refused and became increasingly irate.
At one stage, Swinbourne says he will 'get you [Mr Price] done for common assault' before threatening to 'smack you in the head'.
After repeated warnings to step back, Mr Price pushed Swinbourne in the chest which caused him to fall over and bang his head.
Mr Price claimed he acted in self-defence but he was sacked from his job and arrested and charged with assault.
However, he was eventually cleared of the charges on Tuesday when his bodycam footage was played at Worcester Magistrates' Court.
Speaking after he was cleared of the charges, Mr Price, from Worcester, said: 'It's been a terrible ordeal - basically being put through all this for doing my job protecting the public.
'I lost my job, my livelihood, my reputation. I loved my job and so many people told me they felt safer when I was on duty.
'I'm looking forward to getting on with my life now but this should be a warning to others in the industry to keep bodycam footage.
'I was sacked for doing my job and it could happen to anyone.'
After watching the three-minute clip, Chairman of the bench Harris Markou said: 'Mr Price was acting in the execution of his duty and had used reasonable and necessary force.
'Mr Swinbourne acted aggressively. The defendant thought he would be physically attacked.'
The footage shows Swinbourne - known as Barney - making repeated attempts to enter the Tesco Express store.
Colin Phillips, prosecuting, said staff were concerned that Swinbourne was trying to enter the store while under the influence of alcohol
During the trial, the court heard Swinbourne had a criminal record stretching back to 1996.
Colin Phillips, prosecuting, said staff were concerned that Swinbourne was trying to enter the store while under the influence of alcohol.
He said: 'The defendant pushed Mr Swinbourne causing him to stumble and fall back on the pavement hitting his head.
'The defendant says he's done this in self-defence.'
During his cross examination, Mr Price told the court: 'Mr Swinbourne then approached again with clenched fists.
'I used what force I thought was necessary at that time.
'I didn't remove myself from the position I was in as I wanted to make sure members of the public and staff were safe inside Tesco.
'I open handedly pushed him away. My intention wasn't to make him fall over, it was to just get him away from me.
'I believe the level of intoxication made him fall back after losing his balance.'
Following his arrest, Mr Price has been inundated with support from wellwishers on social media branding him a 'superhero'.
One said: 'You do your job to protect the public and you're the one getting punished. Something is seriously wrong with this country!'
Another said: 'Vile man like this should be locked up not a superhero like you.'
