A seasoned repeat offender, responsible for over 100 crimes, led to the dismissal of a long-serving Morrisons store manager. Sean Egan was fired after confronting Daniel Kendall, a habitual shoplifter who turned aggressive in the Aldridge, West Midlands supermarket. Despite following protocol with a calm demeanor towards the thief, Kendall, 36, escalated the situation by kicking off and spitting at the manager.
Egan, 46, a family man from Wolverhampton, expressed his distress over losing his job in December, emphasizing that it was more than just employment but his entire identity and livelihood. Kendall’s extensive criminal history came to light, revealing numerous convictions including a recent 42-week jail sentence for stealing Jack Daniel’s whiskey from Morrisons, along with other minor offenses.
Kendall’s prior run-ins with the law involved stealing chocolate and coffee worth £90 from a Co-op in Birmingham, as well as £390 in cash from a Walsall ATM. In a separate incident in 2018, he received a 30-week jail term for attempting to break into a police officer’s residence in Pelsall.
Describing Kendall as a notorious repeat offender in the area, Egan recalled recognizing him immediately while he was loitering in the store. Egan adhered to company policies by approaching Kendall calmly, offering assistance, and escorting him out when necessary. However, the situation took a turn when Kendall spat at Egan near the exit, prompting a reaction from the manager that ultimately led to his termination.
Morrisons refrained from commenting on individual cases but emphasized their commitment to addressing shoplifting and violence threats in their stores. The company stressed the importance of ensuring the safety of both employees and customers, highlighting strict guidelines and procedures in place to handle such incidents effectively while prioritizing de-escalation and safety measures.
As a responsible employer, Morrisons reiterated their focus on maintaining health and safety standards at all times, emphasizing the importance of protecting employees and customers from potential harm in challenging situations.
