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.
