A former Marks & Spencer security guard has been jailed after he fatally punched a shoplifter on his last day at work.
Sabeur Trabelsi, 45, was found guilty by unanimous jury verdict last month of manslaughter and perverting the course of justice following a trial at Reading Crown Court.
Returning to the same court for sentencing, he was sentenced to a total of six years behind bars.
Jason Page, 52, died after he was assaulted in March 2021 by Trabelsi outside the BP Petrol Station in Reading, who was on his last half-hour of his final day as a security guard at Marks & Spencer.
Trabelsi had followed the shoplifter and his accomplice, Oswold Walker, out of the shop after they were seen filling a bag with expensive meat, and grabbing a box of Moretti beer as they made a quick exit.
CCTV footage was shown to the court where he pursues the two men along with the M&S store manager before Trabelsi delivers a "knock-out blow" to Mr Page following a wrestle over the bag of meat.
After being punched, Jason fell to the ground and hit his head - causing a serious head injury that led to his death just 24 hours later.
Trabelsi was arrested on 1 April, and charged with manslaughter on 18 May 2022.
Speaking on Monday after sentencing, investigating officer Detective Sergeant Victoria Hunt, of West Midlands Police's Major Crime Unit, said: “Trabelsi was working as a security guard at the time of this tragic incident.
“While confronting Jason, he made a fateful decision to punch him, causing him to fall to the ground.
“Whatever the reason for this confrontation, the violent punch was completely unnecessary and tragically, Jason struck his head on the ground, which caused unsurvivable injuries, despite the best efforts of medical professionals.
“This case has brought into focus the tragic and devastating consequences that can occur as a result of one punch.
“Jason’s family have shown tremendous patience and dignity throughout the course of our investigation and subsequent trial, and I would like to pay tribute to them for putting their trust in us to investigate the circumstances of Jason’s death.
“I hope that this sentence and conclusion of our investigation will bring some solace to Jason’s family and his friends and our thoughts remain with them.”
