My posting of March 2nd, 2010 told the story of how armed policemen surrounded the Riverside Hotel and arrested a gunman, after disabling him with a Tazer. We have since been told that after being challenged the gunman reached for his gun and might have been shot dead by the waiting marksmen if he hadn’t fumbled, giving the police enough time to deploy the Tazer.
The gunman was Thomas Hayes, who appeared at South Lakeland Magistrates Court today and pleaded guilty to the following charges: possessing an imitation firearm in a public place.
As related earlier, our manager, Helen Clark displayed exceptional courage and presence of mind and she received the following commendation from the police, ‘I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank you and your staffs’ assistance with the incident that occurred at the Riverside Hotel on Tuesday 2nd March 2010. Your staff stayed calm and did exactly what we asked; without alerting the suspects – thus keeping the vicinity safe for customers, themselves, our officers and potentially other members of the public.’
Helen had been keeping an eye on the villain because she suspected him of making off with £180 in tips when he had been in the hotel with two friends the previous day. It turns out that it was one of the friends who had filched the tips. The tips have been returned and the the culprit was let off with a caution.
Tags: Riverside