Wigan security guard bitten by thief after he caught him shoplifting

Jon Roughley attacked Muhammed Ahsan, a security guard at Wigan B&Q, after trying to make off with two Black & Decker drills valued at £110.

The 38-year-old, of Railway Road Hostel in Leigh, began “lashing out wildly” after Mr Ahsan caught him red-handed, landing blows to his face and sinking his teeth.

At Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Court, Roughley pleaded guilty to theft from a shop and assault by beating.

The court heard how Roughley had entered the B&Q in Frith Street, at around 6.30pm on April 14.

He placed the two drills in a bag before making his way to the exit. Mr Ahsan had already been alerted to the potential theft and was waiting outside the doors for Roughley.

After approaching him, Mr Ahsan opened the bag and found the hardware inside, and escorted him back into the store.

It was at this point that Roughley began “lashing out wildly” and a struggle ensued.

After the pair wrestled each other to the ground, Roughley bit him on the leg and continued throwing punches.

The court was shown images of Mr Ahsan’s wounds, including swelling to his eye socket and a small, open wound on his leg where Roughley had bitten him.

Police were called to the shop, promptly arresting the assailant and recovering the stolen goods. He later told the officers that he had tried to steal the drills to pay for alcohol, and had panicked when he was caught by security.

He apologised for his actions in a police interview.

In a victim impact statement, Mr Ahsan said that although the nature of his job means he may have to deal with violent confrontation, the “level of violence he showed me was disgusting.”

Roughley told probation workers he could remember throwing punches but not biting, and was shocked when he saw the photos of the wounds he had inflicted.

He also said he had consumed a lot of alcohol on the day of the incident, rating himself “eight out of 10” when asked how drunk he was.

Roughley was handed a 12 month community order, with a 15 day rehabilitation requirement and an eight week curfew between 7pm and 7am. He must also pay £420 in fines and compensation.