Morrisons Manager Dismissed After Confronting Violent Serial Shoplifter
A dedicated Morrisons store manager with nearly three decades of service has been sacked after intervening to stop a violent serial shoplifter with more than 100 offences to his name. The incident has ignited a fierce debate over corporate policies and employee safety in the retail sector.
Career Criminal Targets Supermarket
Daniel Kendall, a 36-year-old career criminal from Walsall in the West Midlands, targeted a Morrisons branch in nearby Aldridge on December 3 last year. Kendall, notorious among local shopkeepers for his prolific offending, attempted to steal two bottles of Jack Daniel's whiskey worth £50.
Sean Egan, the 46-year-old married father and store manager who had worked for Morrisons for 29 years, bravely tackled Kendall as he tried to flee. Egan initially followed company protocol by dealing calmly with the thief, despite Kendall's extensive history of violence convictions.
Violent Confrontation Leads to Dismissal
The situation escalated when Kendall became aggressive and began spitting at Mr Egan. In response, the manager attempted to restrain him to protect customers and staff. This action, however, violated Morrisons' official "deter-and-not-detain" policy regarding shoplifters.
Following a disciplinary hearing, Morrisons dismissed Mr Egan for not adhering to company procedures. The loyal employee, who had turned numerous underperforming stores into some of the most profitable in the West Midlands during his tenure, lost his job just three weeks before Christmas.
Employee Speaks Out on Social Media
After his dismissal, Mr Egan took to LinkedIn to express his anger and frustration over the treatment he received. "I joined Morrisons at 17. It wasn't just a job. It was my identity. My life. My purpose," he wrote emotionally.
He explained that during the confrontation, he reacted "not as a manager, but as a human being" when spat at by Kendall. "That split second changed everything," Mr Egan lamented, adding that his story reflects the experiences of many retail workers who have reached out to him privately.
Shoplifter's Extensive Criminal History
The Daily Mail can reveal that Kendall is a one-man crimewave with at least 40 previous convictions spanning numerous petty offences. In December, Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court jailed him for 42 weeks over the Morrisons theft and several other crimes.
His recent offences included stealing chocolate and coffee worth £90 from a Co-op supermarket in Birmingham and taking £390 in cash from an ATM in Walsall. These incidents represent just the latest in a long pattern of criminal behaviour that has plagued local businesses for years.
Previous Violent Incidents
Kendall's criminal history includes particularly alarming incidents. In 2018, he was jailed for 30 weeks for attempting to break into a police officer's home in Pelsall during the middle of the night. PC Jason Dooley, who had served with West Midlands Police for around 30 years, apprehended Kendall with the help of a neighbour after his dogs alerted him to the intruder.
Officers discovered the thief carrying two previously stolen laptops and six mobile phones. "I've never seen anything like it in all my years of policing," Mr Dooley told local media at the time, describing how Kendall struggled violently when confronted.
Pattern of Petty Theft and Violence
Further offences reveal Kendall's persistent targeting of retail establishments. In February 2019, he stole two yoghurt pots worth £2.58 from a Euro Garages petrol station in Walsall and assaulted a shop worker, resulting in a ten-week prison sentence.
Later that same year, on September 13, Kendall attempted to steal washing powder from a Bargain Buys store in Bloxwich. When the female manager tried to stop him, he pushed her against shelving and threatened her with what turned out to be half a pair of scissors used for cutting heroin.
On the same day, he stole £102 worth of cosmetics from a Lloyds Pharmacy before being arrested for both crimes on September 28. He admitted attempted robbery and shoplifting charges and was subsequently jailed.
Judicial Response to Persistent Offending
Judge James Burbridge QC addressed Kendall directly during sentencing, stating: "You have been a public menace because of your addiction. Shopkeepers and those who work in shops need to be protected by the court."
Defence lawyer Aimee Parkes acknowledged her client's pattern of behaviour, saying: "He is genuinely sorry for his actions and knows that if this pattern of offending continues his sentences will just get longer and longer."
Broader Implications for Retail Workers
The case highlights the difficult position retail employees face when confronting persistent offenders. While companies implement policies designed to protect staff from harm, these guidelines can sometimes conflict with employees' instincts to protect their stores and customers.
Mr Egan's dismissal after 29 years of loyal service raises serious questions about how businesses balance policy enforcement with support for employees who face violent situations in the workplace. His public outcry has resonated with many in the retail sector who feel their safety concerns are not adequately addressed by corporate policies.
The incident occurs against a backdrop of increasing shoplifting across the UK, particularly during peak periods like Christmas, putting additional pressure on retail staff who must navigate dangerous situations while adhering to strict company protocols.
