GUARD FILMED GRABBING TEEN’S THROAT
BOSSES at a flagship shopping centre have apologised after shocking footage emerged of a security guard grabbing a 15-year-old by the throat and telling him: “Get out or I’ll chuck you out”.
The incident, which happened at the St David’s shopping centre in Cardiff on Sunday afternoon, involved a group of friends.
They had been skateboarding in the city centre and were heading to eat when they were approached by security officers and asked to leave.
A video of the incident – which has since been posted online – then shows one of the security guards grabbing one of the teenagers by the throat.
The security guard has since been “suspended with immediate effect”.
The 15-year-old boy involved was Luther Small from Llanrumney, Cardiff. His mother, Carol, said: “Luther doesn’t really want to take things any further.
“He accepts the guy overreacted but doesn’t want him to be suspended. It’s just one of those things.”
A video of the incident was posted online by Rhayna Mann, whose 15-year-old son, Riley, was also a part of the group of friends.
Posting the footage to Twitter, she wrote: “Disgusting. Appalling. Shameful.”
Rhayna’s husband, Jason Mann, added: “My son and his friends were in Cardiff skating on Sunday. They decided to get some food at around 5pm.
“Obviously one of the only places open at that time on a Sunday was St David’s Shopping Centre.
“They went in and took a seat in a café, but they were approached by security and told they had to leave.
“They were not misbehaving or playing up, but were told they had to leave because they had skateboards.
“My son and his friends told the guards they didn’t understand. They were only having food. They hadn’t even skated inside the centre. “But security kicked them out. “They tried their luck at another entrance and the security guards were waiting for them there.”
This is when Luther was grabbed by one of the guards.
Jason says the management team at St David’s have been in touch to explain the situation but the incident has left them feeling upset and angry.
“Riley was OK when he came home – he skates a lot, so is used to having run-ins with people,” Jason said.
“But he’s a good kid. I’m not just saying that as his parent – Riley is a bright and well-mannered boy.
“His mum was upset when she saw the footage, but I was just angry that someone in a position of power would abuse their rights.
“The boys are 15 at the end of the day. Even if they were mouthy and the security guard felt justified in throwing them out, you don’t grab a young boy by the throat.”
Mark Nott, centre manager for St David’s Cardiff, said: “We have been made aware of this incident and the security officer involved has been suspended with immediate effect.
“This is not the level of conduct we expect from our officers and we apologise to all parties involved.
“A full investigation is now taking place and we are liaising with the customers concerned directly.”