A DEDICATED Tesco worker who had worked for the supermarket for 17 years killed himself after he was sacked for chasing a shoplifter, an inquest heard.
Shaun Winstanley, 49, had been awarded for his Years of Outstanding Service but was fired for “unreasonable behaviour” after running after the thief.
An inquest at Blackpool Town Hall heard the customer assistant had first begun to struggle after he was held at gunpoint during a robbery in May last year.
And he continued to battle mental health problems after he was fired for putting himself and a customer in danger when he tried to chase down a thief on January 2.
He appealed the decision but it was rejected on February 6.
Mr Winstanley was found dead by a friend at his Staining home near Blackpool, Lancs, barely a week later on February 13.
Since his death, his family has revealed their heartbreak that the dedicated supermarket worker wasn’t better supported.
Speaking after the hearing, his devastated step-daughter Siobhan Winstanley, 28, told how she had written to Tesco about her father’s death but was told the matter was closed.
She said: “It is very raw and very difficult for us to come to terms with.
“He was of the very strong opinion that [suicide] was a selfish thing to do, so obviously it’s not something he would have done lightly, knowing he had children.
“It’s not something that’s actually sunk in. We feel maybe if we go into the Highfield Road shop he’s going to be there. But he’s not going to be there, because he’s not here any more.
“I am angry at Tesco. We have got our father in an urn in our living room.
Anything they could give me wouldn’t be good enough. It would be blood money
Siobhan Winstanley
“I sit there every morning with my coffee and look at him and wonder maybe if things had been different he would still be here.
“I think there needs to be an awareness of mental health and I think employers need to be doing right by their employees.
“I could try to take them [Tesco] to tribunal but anything they could give me wouldn’t be good enough. It would be blood money. I don’t want money. I want my dad back.
“Seventeen years he gave them and when he needed them most they let him down.”
Siobhan said her dad was offered five counselling sessions following the traumatic armed robbery in May last year but his mental health went downhill from there.
He was then transferred from the Highfield Road Tesco Express – where the robbery took place – to shops in Bispham and Poulton.
However, he was not initially offered any time off work, said Siobhan, and was disciplined for missing three shifts following the crime.
During the inquest, the hearing was told one of Mr Winstanley’s friends became worried about him as he had not seen him in several days.
He went to Mr Winstanley’s house on February 13, where he found the door locked, lights on and his bichon frise dog, Benji, barking inside.
After knocking on the door and receiving no response, he called 999 and police forced entry to the property.
Police then forced entry into the home, tragically finding his body.Coroner Clare Doherty recorded a conclusion of suicide.
She said: “A friend spoke with Mr Winstanley on February 8 and he expressed thoughts of self-harm.
“It seems to tie in with the fact that he had appealed the loss of his job and he had not been successful in that appeal on that day.
“It was apparent that his employment was not going to be restored and he was devastated by that. He was an employee for 17 years and had won an award in the past for being a good employee.
“Mr Winstanley had suffered a marked mental deterioration last summer while at work he had witnessed at armed robbery.
“He was very affected by it and he had counselling from his employer and help from another agency called Supporting Minds.
“It does appear that he had fragile mental health and these events have caused a deterioration.”
A spokesman for Tesco said: “The welfare and safety of our colleagues is of utmost importance to us and we were extremely sad to hear about the death of Mr Winstanley.
“Unfortunately, we are unable to comment on individual circumstances relating to our colleagues.”
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
