Home / Crime and Justice / Shoplifter jailed after security guard's death
Shoplifter jailed after security guard's death
5 Mar
Summary
- Shoplifter sentenced to five years and four months for causing guard's death.
- Security guard died from a heart attack after a struggle over stolen alcohol.
- The convicted woman also assaulted another store employee.
A shoplifter has been sentenced to five years and four months imprisonment for her role in the death of a security guard at an Asda superstore. The incident occurred in June 2024 when Natasha Smith attempted to leave the Arbroath store with stolen alcohol. Security guard Alun Harris-Richards, 61, intervened and during a struggle, fell and struck his head, subsequently suffering a fatal heart attack. A judge noted that Smith had initiated a chain of events with devastating consequences.
Smith, 38, pleaded guilty to causing Mr. Harris-Richards such distress that he suffered a fatal heart attack. She also admitted assaulting another Asda employee during the same confrontation. Bodycam footage showed Smith shouting and swearing at Mr. Harris-Richards as she resisted his attempts to retrieve the stolen alcohol. Even after Mr. Harris-Richards fell, she continued to struggle with other staff members, threatening one with violence.
During the trial, it was revealed that Mr. Harris-Richards had a pre-existing coronary artery condition, making him susceptible to sudden death during stress. His defense attorney stated that Smith expressed deep remorse and was struggling with drug and alcohol abuse at the time, haunting her with nightmares of the incident. She reportedly felt she deserved her imprisonment.
