Thief bites off part of Tesco boss's ear
A store manager has told how he had part of his ear bitten off when he confronted two shoplifters in Bristol.
Tristram Turner gave chase after the men stole fours cans of lager and a bottle of cider from the Tesco Express store in Totterdown.
His two attackers were caught on the store's CCTV camera when they walked in, one wearing a distinctive yellow top and other in a green hooded top.
They went into the Oxford Street store shortly after it opened at 7am on Sunday and helped themselves to a four-pack of Budweiser and a two-litre bottle of Strongbow, worth about £7.
A checkout assistant alerted duty manager Mr Turner as they ran out without paying.
The 26-year-old, who has worked at the store for just four months, gave chase and caught up with one of them within 200 metres. He confronted him in nearby Stevens Crescent.
The other shoplifter, who had run on ahead, came back and the pair punched and kicked Mr Turner as he attempted to wrestle back the stolen alcohol.
The thief wearing the yellow top then bit Mr Turner's right ear, ripping off part of it. He spat it out before the pair then ran off towards Victoria Park.
On seeing what had happened, a resident in the street raised the alarm and paramedics took Mr Turner to hospital.
Mr Turner said: "I didn't think twice about running after them. I've done it before and caught people. I'm not sure I'll be so quick to do it next time though.
"There was blood everywhere and all I really remember is him spitting out part of ear. I've never seen either of them in the shop before. I can't believe the level of violence over £7 worth of alcohol."
Mr Turner, who lives in Fishponds, had the two-inch section of his ear reattached by specialist doctors at Frenchay Hospital. He had now been sent home and doctors will know by next week if the skin graft has taken.
Mr Turner said: "The doctors don't know yet if it will reattach itself. They've stitched it back on and now it's just a case of hoping for the best."
The store, open 7am to 10pm every day, normally has a security guard posted on its doors during the evening.
Police have released a CCTV image (pictured above) of the two men in a bid to catch them and last night appealed to anyone who knows them to get in touch.
The first offender was about 22 years old and 5ft 10in tall, with short dark hair. He was wearing a yellow jumper and blue jeans.
The second attacker was aged about 20 and had short ginger hair. He was wearing a green hooded top with a leaf pattern on it.
A Tesco spokesman declined to comment because of the police investigation.
Anyone with information about the Bristol attack should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
14 Comments
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by Emma, Bristol
Friday, August 29 2008, 8:08AM
“No Jeremy Hill, the Tesco staff do not have their wages docked because of shoplifting. Not even the security guards would.
On another note, I used to work at Somerfield on Gloucester Road and a drug addict shoplifter waved a dirty needle at security who tried to apprehend him. It is shocking what lengths these thieves will go to. Cut their hands off !!”
by Messy, Withywood
Friday, August 29 2008, 7:58AM
“MikeMSN, Midsomer Norton, you have a very good point, and its not the way it should work, however my friend worked for ASDA at Cribbs Causeway and they used to get some expensive Whiskey pinched from there. He saw a guy doing it and gave chase. He tripped the guy up and the guy broke his ankle. My friend got taken to court and was ordered to pay around £500 for injuring the thief. Thats why I put my comment on here.”
by kevin burge, longwell green
Thursday, August 28 2008, 8:54PM
“Dont mess with these nutters, Tesco's might be a big organisation - but their workers aren't big boys”
by Jeremy Hill, Bristol
Thursday, August 28 2008, 4:30PM
“I don't think it is Tesco's money at stake in such cases. When I witnessed shoplifters in my local Tesco, the member staff went after them, and afterwards was saying the money for the shoplifted goods comes out of their wages. Not sure if he was being entirely serious- perhaps someone else can shed some light on this.”
by MikeMSN, Midsomer Norton
Thursday, August 28 2008, 1:29PM
“Messy of Withywood thinks that if you injure a criminal while trying to retrieve your stolen goods from him, he will seek and gain compensation, and if you are not insured against this claim, there could be an injustice. I'm not sure whether Messy thinks the injustice is that the robbed person will have to pay, or if it is that the robber will be sueing a straw man and won't get his money because there isn't any. Either way, society needs to be assured that Messy is completely wrong - no compensation will be payable. If the robbed person is injured, he will be treated free by the NHS. (But so will the robber. That is how stupid we are.)”
by Steve, Bristol
Thursday, August 28 2008, 11:02AM
“If it was Strongbow, I can understand them not wanting to pay for it. It's vile.”
by Anon, Bristol
Thursday, August 28 2008, 10:53AM
“Someone gets seriously hurt over a few quid and all people can do is moan and say he shouldn't have been chasing them anyway! Who cares whether he should or shouldn't! I would chase them, just because I don't have the relevant insurance and might injure them wouldn't stop me!
There was no security guard and as the manager he probably felt compelled to try and get that stock back. too many people shrug their shoulders at petty crime, and true, it may only be a few quid, but add all similar incidents up and it's not so petty!
FYI Messy, it was Strongbow not Natch! If other people can be picky then perhaps I should try it! :-)”
by Mike, Staple Hill, Bristol
Thursday, August 28 2008, 10:50AM
“Well done Tris, the cowards that done this will not go near your shop again and the idiots thinking of doing it in the future will think twice. They are only brave when no-one confronts them. Evil flourishes where good men do nothing. Keep up the good work and get well soon.”
by P, bristol
Thursday, August 28 2008, 10:34AM
“People say he is doing his job, his job is manager and not security guard - now adays its not worth confronting anyone - who knows if they could have had a knife or something. Its Tescos money/goods - they make enough money not to care if it is stolen -”
by Limited Credibility, Bristol
Thursday, August 28 2008, 9:51AM
“Depressingly, posters hitherto have thought this story somehow amusing and given vent to their "wit". This is not a funny story, a man was seriously assaulted and possibly maimed for life just for doing his job. With such detailed descriptions of the assailants I'd hope and expect them to be caught and subsequently have more than an ASBO slapped on them.”