Shoplifter who killed Asda security guard jailed for five years

A shoplifter who killed a security guard during a struggle at an Asda superstore as she tried to flee with stolen alcohol has been jailed for five years and four months.

Former Royal Marine Alun Harris-Richards, 61, suffered a fatal heart attack while trying to prevent Natasha Smith, 38, from leaving the premises and fell to the ground, where he struck his head. At the High Court in Edinburgh in January, Smith pleaded guilty to culpable homicide and assaulting another Asda employee during the same altercation.

She was sentenced on Thursday. Lady Haldane said on the day in question, Smith "set in train a series of events that ultimately had devastating consequences for Alun Harris-Richards, his family and all who knew and loved him".

The judge added: "Mr Harris-Richards lost his life that day when he was simply doing his job as a security guard in a supermarket." Following Mr Harris-Richards' death, a post-mortem examination found he had a coronary artery condition. Pathologists reported that people with the condition are "at risk of sudden death at any time" and this is particularly true in times of illness or stress.

The incident occurred at the supermarket in Arbroath's Westway Retail Park, Angus, on 30 June 2024. The court heard that during the confrontation, which was recorded on Mr Harris-Richards' body-worn camera, Smith shouted, swore, falsely accused her victim of assaulting her, and repeatedly attempted to pull a bag containing the alcohol from his grasp.

In footage shown to the court, Smith screamed "you're not allowed to touch me.