Have-a-go hero arrested after armed robber he held down in street dies
FRIENDS of an armed robber who died after being tackled by a ‘have-a-go hero’ have sparked outrage by calling for the passer-by to be prosecuted.
Shane Bryant, 29, died in hospital two days after the attack at a convenience shop in a market town.
Two men had burst inside and threatened staff with a baseball bat and golf club – demanding they hand over cash.
One of the robbers ran to a car but Bryant was apprehended in the street by members of the public. His accomplice tried to free him by driving the car at the shoppers but they continued to restrain him until police arrived.
A 24- year- old man who helped pin Bryant down was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and later released pending inquiries. Detectives are treating the death as ‘unexplained’.
Officers said Bryant ‘fell ill’ at the scene on Thursday night and died in hospital on Saturday morning. A postmortem examination failed to establish a cause of death and further tests are being carried out. His friends claimed he suffered ‘horrendous injuries’ and called for those who inflicted them to ‘get what they deserve’.
The Co- op store is at one end of the street running through Ashby-de-la-Zouch, a market town 18 miles from Leicester.
Conservative councillor John Coxon, leader of Ashby Town Council, was driving past the shop during the inci- dent. He said he saw a large group of men coming out of the White Hart pub opposite and running over the road towards the Co-op.
Mr Coxon added: ‘It’s very regrettable that someone has passed away at such a young age. And it is a shame they were doing what they were doing at the time.
‘The whole thing is tragic. One man has died, and another has been arrested.
‘People are public-spirited, and try to do the right thing. I suppose he (the arrested man) thought he was doing the right thing. He must also be going though a lot of distress.’
Many residents have called the passer-by a ‘ hero’ and expressed anger at the police decision to arrest him. Martin Wright, 44, said: ‘He should be treated as a hero, not a criminal. He has put his life at risk to defend others, and been arrested for it. Hopefully he’ll be released without charge. He’s done nothing wrong.’
Peter Evans, 66, added: ‘A citizen’s arrest is still perfectly legal in this country, so I have no idea why this young man has been arrested.
‘Most people would probably think he should be given a bravery award.’
Bryant was a father-of two from Birmingham. Friend Mairead Evans, 34, from Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, said: ‘ I’m devastated but it still hasn’t sunk in properly.
‘He was like a brother to me, he always had my back and my friends’ back for the whole 13 years I knew him.’
Another friend, Sharon Larvin, 48, from Birmingham, said: ‘I hope the men who killed Shane get everything they deserve. I know he shouldn’t have been doing what he was doing but he never killed anyone.
‘His injuries were horrendous – they must have killed him and someone will be responsible for his death. Shane was a fit and healthy 29-year-old lad, I don’t believe he could’ve died of a cardiac arrest. He was beaten to death by the good people of Ashby.’
Detective Chief Inspector Di Coulson, from Leicestershire Police, said: ‘We are keen to have any dash- cam and mobile phone footage that anyone may have of the incident on Thursday night.’
‘There were lots of people in the area who saw what happened and were involved in apprehending Mr Bryant. No matter how short or insignificant you think it is, we would like to see it please.’
The Independent Police Complaints Commission is looking at the police involvement in Bryant’s death.
‘Give him a bravery award’