A sacked security guard was cleared of assaulting a violent thief thanks to his bodycam footage proving HE was being attacked.

Wayne Price, 40, was protecting staff and shoppers from prolific shoplifter Peter Swinbourne.

Swinbourne, who has racked up 60 previous convictions, including 35 for violence, was a well-known troublemaker in Worcester.

Mr Price, who was employed as a Safer Streets Officer with Worcester BID, was on patrol when Tesco staff radioed for back-up.

When he arrived at the Tesco Express in Foregate Street, Swinbourne was trying to force his way inside the shop on September 26 last year.

When Mr Price pushed Swinbourne, which led him to falling over and banging his head, the security guard was sacked.

He was later charged with assault by beating and banned from applying for any other security guard jobs after having his SIA card suspended.

But he was eventually cleared of the charges on Tuesday (3/6) when his bodycam footage was played at Worcester Magistrates' Court.

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.

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.

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." "

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."