SCREAMED TO DEATH

Yob jailed for five years after former Marine died apprehending booze thief; Thug also assaulted shop worker and court told she had long rap sheet

- DAVE FINLAY

A SHOPLIFTER who killed a security guard as he tried to stop her leaving a supermarket with stolen booze has been jailed for five years.

Natasha Smith's aggressive behaviour resulted in Alun Harris-Richards suffering a heart attack and dying at an Asda store in Arbroath.

During the fatal incident the thief levelled a false claim against the victim of assaulting her as she tried to leave the shop with the bottles she was stealing.

Judge Lady Haldane told Smith at the High Court in Edinburgh: "You 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."

"Mr Harris-Richards lost his life that day when he was simply doing his job as a security guard in a supermarket."

The judge pointed out that Smith assaulted another member of staff who was also simply doing her duty in trying to stop Smith stealing from the store.

Lady Haldane said she had received moving victim impact statements from members of the deceased's family and added: "It is clear Mr Harris-Richards was a much loved member of the family who was deeply involved with his children and grandchildren."

The judge said she recognised nothing she said or did would in any way lessen the sense of loss. She added that a background report prepared on Smith showed that she had suffered trauma in her own life and significant adverse experiences in childhood.

She told Smith that nothing could take away from the fact that Alun would not have lost his life in the way he did but for her actions.

Smith, 38, formerly of North Grimsby, Arbroath, earlier admitted killing the ex-Royal Marine, 61, in June 2024 at his workplace at the supermarket in the Angus town's Westway Retail Park.

The court heard that Smith shouted and swore, made the false allegation against the victim, claimed that he would be prosecuted and repeatedly tried to pull a bag from him.