Monday 8 August 2022 03:40 PM Ex-soldier turned child tutor fired after chasing 'shoplifter' while looking ... trends now
A former British Army solider turned children's tutor has claimed he has been left jobless after being fired for chasing down a 'threatening' suspected shoplifter while looking after a ten-year-old boy.
Mark K, who served in the army between 2007 and 2012, sprang into action when he spotted the thief running running along Hampstead High Street carrying a satchel full of stolen items from high-end clothes store Reiss.
CCTV footage from health food shop Planet Organic - outside of which the altercation took place - shows the army veteran grabbing hold of the alleged thief as he tries to cross the road.
The Reiss shop assistant can be seen tussling with the assailant, dressed in denim jeans and a black hoodie, as she retrieves the stolen shirts while Mark keeps his arms locked around him.
After exchanging a few words, Mark lets go of the suspected shoplifter, who proceeds to pick up an object from the ground and launches it at the pair as they walk off.
Mark apprehended the 'agitated' shoplifter with a 'bear hug' after chasing him down the street because he had fears that the man, thought to be in his 30s, was a threat to the public.
The tutor said he promptly took the ten-year-old home to his mother and explained to her what had happened.
He said she was initially 'fine' about the situation and laughed it off, but a few days later he received a 'devastating' call from the family's personal assistant terminating his employment.
Mark K, 32, was 'gutted' after being fired for trying to prevent a shoplifter getting away
The children's tutor served as a soldier in the British Army for five years between 2007 and 2012
'She was fine about it. 'She didn't ask any questions and she had a bit of a laugh about it,' the 32-year-old explained.
'It was only a couple days after, in the evening, that I was told it was a problem and then I got sacked on the spot.'
Mark maintains that he acted in the child's best interest and said he is 'gutted' by the outcome.
Mark initially ran after the man suspected of shoplifting and stopped him in his tracks
With the aid of an employee from Reiss, the pair managed to take back the items that had been stolen
He explained that the man on a getaway was at risk of causing a 'fatal' accident. 'As soon as we were in the entrance at Reiss, the robber came out and so did the employee who was pursuing him,' Mark said.
'The thief went around me and the child.
