Store security guard filmed choking teen
Westgate Oxford UK Aug 27 2019
A video showing security guard at the John Lewis store shows security putting a teenager in a choke hold as the young dad was out shopping for baby clothes has hit the Internet.
Kyle Spencer, 19, was grabbed by the neck and violently dragged out of the John Lewis store in Westgate, Oxford.
Kyle Spencer claims he couldn’t breathe when he was put into a choke hold by the security guard.
He had been shopping for baby clothes for the arrival of his firstborn child, Emilia, when he said he was “assaulted” by the security guard.
He was visiting the store at around 4pm on August 5 with his two sisters, one who filmed the incident on her phone.
The clip shows the guard grab Kyle, from Oxford, by the neck and wrestle him out of the store.
The family claim the scuffle started after Kyle’s 12-year-old sister pressed a button on a speaker causing loud music to play.
Security guards were then called by store workers to investigate reports of disruptive behavior, and Kyle was hauled out of the shop.
The security guard is no longer employed by John Lewis and wrote an apology email to Kyle.
I physically couldn’t breathe,” Kyle said. “It was absolutely terrifying.
“He had my neck so tight that I thought I was going to die.
“For a good week or so after it happened I was scared to go into town again.
He had my neck so tight that I thought I was going to die
“My sisters were in absolute distress. No child should have to see their big brother get attacked like that.
“He was full of anger. I thought he would never let go.”
Kyle says his sister turned the music on by accident and panicked having caused a disruption.
The group were approached by the security guard, who asked the three of them to leave the store, Kyle said.
But Kyle claims the guard became aggressive when he asked to see his ID badge.
He asked to see some form of identification because the guard, dressed in shorts and a polo shirt, “didn’t look like” someone who worked for John Lewis.
Kyle said: “To me he just looked like a normal person in normal clothes.
“He refused to show me his badge and started to get angry about it. I didn’t try to cause an argument or try to be awkward.
“He asked us to leave but when we were talking he pushed me twice.”
Video footage then shows the guard spin Kyle around and grab him by the neck.
Kyle said he tried to defend himself by resisting the “heavy-handed” guards attempt to grapple with him.
He was full of anger. I thought he would never let go
His sisters can be heard screaming in distress as their brother is taken to the ground.
Kyle reported the incident to Thames Valley Police claiming assault. An investigation was launched but no action was taken against the guard.
Kyle said he went to A&E later that night with neck pain. He claims doctors diagnosed him with a sprain and whiplash.
Following the closure of the police investigation Kyle reported the incident to John Lewis directly on August 22.
He received a letter of apology from the guard the next day.
Speaking today, security guard Aaron Beattie said he disputed some of the claims made by Mr Spencer.
Mr Beattie told The Sun Online: “He was rude and abusive and intimated a female member of staff.”
According to him, the teenager had been asked to leave the store four times.
He says he wasn’t fired by John Lewis but handed in his notice after the incident.
John Lewis says it is “appalled” by the incident and confirmed Mr Beattie no longer works for the company.
A spokesperson said: “This is not what we would expect from anyone who works for us and we can confirm that this individual is no longer employed by John Lewis & Partners.
“We’ve subsequently conducted an internal investigation and supported the Police with their enquiries.”
A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: “We received a report of an assault which took place in Queen Street, Oxford at around 4pm on August 5.”
“No arrests have been made. A 52-year-old man received an adult restorative disposal in relation to this incident.”
