Latest news with #securityguard
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
'Superhero' security guard who fought off racist thug who trashed Tesco store was fired and charged with assault after a witness complained
A security guard hailed as a 'superhero' for fending off a racist thug who trashed a Tesco Express was later sacked on the spot and charged with assault - after a bystander complained about his use of force. Wayne Price, 40, was cleared in just 30 minutes after CCTV showed he acted in self-defence - but Worcester BID, who had employed him to tackle crime in the city centre, refused to give him his job back. He now works at a crazy golf course to support his family. CCTV and bodycam footage confirmed Price had acted lawfully as he shoved career criminal Peter Swinbourne - who had previously hurled racist abuse at staff and thrown wet floor signs inside the shop. The incident unfolded in September last year, when staff at the Tesco Express on Foregate Street radioed for help dealing with a drunk man trying to barge his way into the shop. Mr Price arrived to find Swinbourne - known locally as 'Barney' - squaring up to staff at the door. He positioned himself in the entrance to block him and tried to de-escalate the situation. Bodycam footage obtained by MailOnline shows him repeatedly warning Swinbourne to step back before finally pushing him away with an open hand, causing him to stumble backwards and fall over. Despite the clear warnings and Swinbourne's behaviour, a member of the public later complained - and Mr Price says he was told by his employer that he should have let the man back into the store. He was suspended, sacked, and then charged with assault by beating. His SIA licence - which allowed him to work in security - was also suspended, leaving him unable to return to the industry. After pleading not guilty in January, Mr Price spent six months on bail before going on trial earlier this month - where magistrates took just half an hour to find him not guilty. The court heard that Swinbourne had 35 previous convictions for violence and 30 public order offences stretching back nearly three decades. He did not attend the hearing because he was in prison. Mr Price, who has two children, said the experience shattered his confidence and left him wondering whether stepping in had been worth it. Even though I was cleared it's like I've been punished anyway,' he said. 'I never thought it would get to the stage it did - I was put through all this just for doing my job. 'I was banned from working in any security role so I've had to find a job at a crazy golf course and the work is a lot less fulfilling but I have to do it to provide for my family. 'I loved my old job and I was good at it and I had a good relationship with businesses in the city. When I came to court I had so many letters of support from them. 'Being accused of these crimes makes you question yourself but I know I am the sort of person who will step into harm's way to help other people.' Mr Price - whose father was a police detective and whose 21-year-old son is now a serving officer - said being forced out of the industry left him feeling worthless. 'Being accused of these crimes makes you question yourself but I know I am the sort of person who will step into harm's way to help other people.' He has now launched a GoFundMe in a bid to raise £4,000 to start his own security company and return to patrolling Worcester's streets. Since Mr Price was removed, traders say uniformed patrols have disappeared - and shoplifting and antisocial behaviour have spiralled as a result. Rachael Evans, who runs the New England Country Store, said: 'Wayne was very important in helping to prevent crime in Worcester. 'You would often see him patrolling and he would pop in and see if everything was OK. He was helpful and friendly - not at all aggressive. Charging him was ridiculous. Somebody has to stand up to people who are in the wrong.' Gabrielle Bullock, owner of nearby Bygones antiques, added: 'Wayne was a real asset to the city and I'm sad he's no longer doing the job.' Leena Batchelor, who runs Script Haven bookshop, said: 'I think it was a kneejerk reaction to sack him before any verdict had been given. He was always very pleasant - and he should still have his job.' Nigel Mee, who owns the Rohan outdoor clothing franchise in the city, said: 'Wayne has been treated appallingly. BID used his stats to justify the system businesses pay into - he was one of the biggest reasons they got re-elected. 'Now he's gone, I don't see anyone. Shoplifting is getting worse and the man he pushed is a known shoplifter and fighter. He came at Wayne - why the law took his side, I can't understand.' One shop worker, who asked not to be named, said: 'If you can't stop a shoplifter without losing your job, we're in a right pickle. 'That Barney is a horrible bit of work. He and his mates sit on the bench swearing at kids and starting fights. For BID to say Wayne should have let him back into the shop is absurd. What are we even paying for?' Mr Price said one of the hardest moments was having to explain what had happened to his 10-year-old daughter Eva. 'We told her I had a new job at first because sometimes security work can be dangerous,' he said. 'But when the court case started and the local paper ran a piece, her mum said: 'You need to tell her the truth.'' 'She tells people I'm a superhero - and I don't ever want her to stop seeing me that way.' Describing the incident that led to his firing, he said: 'I was called to Tesco Express as he had been inside throwing wet floor signs and racially abusing a staff member 'When I got there he had walked out so I stood at the door and stopped him coming back in. 'All I did was stood my ground and told him repeatedly if he didn't get away from me I would have to push him. When he came at me with a raised fist I pushed him and he stumbled back and hit his head.' At Worcester Magistrates' Court earlier this month, lead Magistrate Harris Markou, said they believed 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, he said. Mr Price, of College Street, Worcester, broke down in tears as the not guilty verdict was delivered and hugged partner Jemma Bailey. Worcester CID has been approached for comment.
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
Security guard faces sexual assault charges: Windsor police
Windsor, Ont. — **Update on June 19, 2025: The charges have been withdrawn in this case. A 20-year-old security guard employed at a long-term care facility is facing charges after allegedly sexually assaulting two female staff members. Police say on Monday, Jan. 11 around 8:30 p.m. Windsor police attended a long-term care facility for a sexual assault investigation. During the course of the investigation police learned the male suspect sexually assaulted two female staff members on separate occasions. Police believe there could be more victims as the incidents were committed during the man's employment as a security guard at the facility. The Windsor man has been arrested and charged with three counts of sexual assault. The Major Crime Unit continues to investigate the matter. Police are reminding the public that any sexual assault can be reported directly to police by phone or online. More information on reporting sexual assaults is available on the Windsor Police Service website. Police are asking anyone with information to contact Windsor Police Service at 519-255-6700 ext. 4830, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 519-258-8477 (TIPS) or online at
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
Suspect sought in Port Moody, B.C., shoplifting assault
Police in Port Moody have released a photo of a suspect linked to an shoplifting assault incident. (Courtesy: Port Moody Police) Police in Port Moody, B.C., are calling on the public for help in identifying a suspect linked to an alleged assault during a shoplifting incident two weeks ago. Officers were called to a grocery store in the Inlet Centre area around 5:45 p.m. June 5, the Port Moody Police said in a statement Wednesday. The suspect allegedly assaulted a security guard and fled the scene after she was confronted for attempting to steal meat products from the store. The security guard did not sustain any serious injuries, police said. The suspect, shown in a photo released by police, is described as a white woman in her 20s, of medium build, with brown hair, and tattoos on her chest, back and arms. 'We have been unsuccessful in positively identifying the suspect and we are now turning to the public for assistance,' states Const. Sam Zacharias. 'Anyone who can identify this female is asked to contact us at 604-461-3456 and quote file number 2025-2374.'
CBS News
5 days ago
- CBS News
Bay Area mall security guard accused of running over juvenile on bike, police say
A security guard at a San Francisco Bay Area mall has been arrested on multiple charges for allegedly running over a juvenile with a private security vehicle during an incident last week. According to San Rafael Police, officers were called to the Northgate Mall around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday on reports of a juvenile who was run over in the parking lot. Witnesses told officers that a driver of security vehicle fled the scene. Officers along with paramedics tended to the teen and provided aid. The juvenile was taken to a local hospital and was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Witnesses told police that a security guard was yelling at a group of juveniles in the parking structure. The guard then chased the group in the vehicle, which led to one of the juveniles being struck and injured. Police said further investigation revealed that the guard became upset when the group tore down caution tape used to close off a portion of the parking area. During the investigation, the guard returned to the scene and surrendered. The guard, identified as 66-year-old Melvin Anthony Kennedy of Oakland, was arrested without incident. Kennedy was booked into the Marin County Jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon involving a vehicle and felony child abuse.
CBS News
12-06-2025
- CBS News
2 injured in overnight shooting at Wynwood high-rise, police say
Two people were shot overnight at a high-rise in Wynwood. According to Miami police, just before 12:30 a.m. they received a call about a shooting at 2150 N Miami Avenue. They said when officers arrived, they found two men who had been shot in their legs and a third man who had a head wound from being hit by a gun. All three were taken to the Ryder Trauma Center where they were listed as stable. A man who lives in the building said a security guard told him that the three people broke in and made their way to the eighth or tenth flood. That's where police said the two men were shot and the third man was hit over the head. The man who lives in the building said the trio made their way down to the lobby, but didn't realize they had to press a button to get out. He said they rummaged through some of the offices on the ground floor and then left through a side door. Police confirmed they had detained a person of interest. They have not said if the person is the one who fired the shots, or if there are any suspects who have not been apprehended.
