Asda safety guard’s final moments on bodycam throughout deadly struggle with shoplifter

Natasha Smith’s aggressive and threatening behaviour resulted in Alun Harris-Richards suffering a heart attack and dying at the Asda store in Arbroath, Scotland

These are the harrowing last moments of an Asda security guard whose struggle with a shoplifter caused him to collapse and die. Natasha Smith’s violent and intimidating conduct led to Alun Harris-Richards suffering a fatal heart attack at the store where he worked in Arbroath, Scotland.

During the deadly incident, the thief falsely accused the guard of assaulting her as she attempted to exit the store with alcohol she was trying to steal. Smith, 38, admitted to causing the death of the former Royal Marine, aged 61, on 30 June 2024 in the town’s Westway Retail Park and was today jailed for five years and four months.

Throughout the altercation, she yelled, swore, made the false accusation against him, claimed that he would face prosecution, and repeatedly tried to snatch a bag from him.

The charge stated that as a result, Mr Harris-Richards, who had undiagnosed heart disease, “suffered such physical and emotional stress that he then and there sustained a heart attack, fell to the ground, struck his head and died.”

Originally, she was charged with assaulting him and repeatedly pushing him, but the Crown revised the charge, removing the assault allegation before she pleaded guilty to the culpable homicide of Mr Harris-Richards.

Smith, a benefit claimant whose child is in foster care, has a history of criminal offences including repeated shoplifting, theft, drug-related crimes and assault in both Scotland and England. However, she has never previously served time in prison, the High Court in Edinburgh was informed.

The court was shown footage from a bodycam worn by Mr Harris-Richards, capturing Smith’s outbursts as she yelled: “You’re not allowed to touch me” and “Get your f****** hands off me.”

Smith can be heard taunting the victim, saying: “Who do you think you are f****** Hulk?” as she aggressively tugged at the bag filled with bottles of alcohol, which she claimed she intended to sell to a pub.

After Mr Harris-Richards had fallen to the ground, Smith continued her struggle with two female employees at the store. She grabbed one of them, Chloe Robinson, put her hands around her neck and threatened: “I will end you”.

The women managed to wrestle the bag away from Smith, who then moved towards the fallen victim. She was pushed into the foyer by the female staff, triggering an alarm due to suspicions that she had additional stolen goods in a handbag.

After another struggle, this bag also fell to the floor.

Smith continued to threaten Ms Robinson, repeating: “I will end you”, before punching her in the face and pulling her hair. She left the scene but was later arrested by police.

Smith admitted to assaulting Ms Robinson and behaving in a threatening and abusive manner, an offence under the protection of workers legislation.

Advocate depute Adrian Stalker revealed that Smith was spotted in the spirits aisle of the supermarket shortly before Mr Harris-Richards’ death, raising suspicions among staff that she might be shoplifting.

The prosecutor stated: “Other members of staff were alerted, including the deceased Alun Harris-Richards.”

Smith proceeded to a self-service checkout area with a can of alcohol and bags, but then headed towards the exit, setting off alarms.

Mr Harris-Richards and another employee intercepted her and grabbed a reusable bag she was holding, which contained two bottles. However, Smith refused to release it.

During the ensuing altercation, Mr Harris-Richards’ breathing became strained and he collapsed.

Mr Stalker said: “He was immediately unresponsive. The deceased received first aid, CPR and emergency medical treatment from staff, customers and paramedics where he had fallen, These efforts were to no avail.”

Lady Haldane sentenced Smith to five years and four months for killing Mr Harris-Richards, and to 11 months for the assault when the case called at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday, with the sentences to run concurrently.

She told Smith: “On June 30 2024 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 at a supermarket.

“It is accepted you did not intend this outcome, nevertheless it is accepted that you have to bear responsibility for it.”

She described victim impact statements from those close to Mr Harris-Richards as “moving documents” and said “it’s clear that Mr Harris-Richards was a much-loved member of the family”, and that his loss has affected them “profoundly”.

The judge added: “It is fair to say that Mr Harris-Richards suffered from health issues that did make him more susceptible to a stressful event such as this, but that does not take away from the fact that he would not have lost his life in the way that he did without your actions.”

The court heard that Smith, who appeared via videolink from prison, has a number of previous convictions for drug offences.

Kris Gilmartin, representing Smith, said she feels “deep remorse” for her actions.

He said: “She accepts that her actions on June 30 2024 have left the friends and family of Mr Harris-Richards with a hole that cannot be filled and she is filled with regret.”

Mr Gilmartin said that Smith was addicted to alcohol at the time of the incident and had gone to the store “desperate”.

He told the court: “She was seen hiding alcohol in her bag. She was desperate to keep hold of her bag and its contents.

“She did not place hands on Mr Harris-Richards but accepts she tried to pull the bag away from him.”

He added: “She did not intend to cause him harm but she has to live with the fact that her actions caused his death.”

Mr Gilmartin told the court that Smith endured significant trauma during her childhood and was exposed to drugs from an early age.

He said that she was in the throes of drug and alcohol abuse at the time of the incident.

Moira Orr, who leads on homicide for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: “This was an unprovoked attack on a man who was simply doing his job.

“Natasha Smith’s actions resulted in tragic consequences and robbed a much-loved family man of his life. She will now serve a prison sentence for her crime.

“This conviction serves as a warning to others that we take crimes of this nature extremely seriously and will use all the tools available to us to seek justice.

“Our thoughts lie with Mr Harris-Richards’ family and friends. We are sorry for their loss.”