Security guard ‘bullied by bosses’

AN OLDHAM security guard was found hanged five months after a terrifying armed robbery.

On May 8, 2006, Keith Williamson was attacked by three masked men while helping fill a cash machine at Rochdale’s Tesco.

He was punched, kicked and threatened with a gun. He tried to flee but was chased by a robber wielding a machete and only escaped by throwing back the keys.

Mr Williamson’s family claim he was bullied into returning to work too soon after the robbery.

An inquest at Oldham Magistrates Court yesterday heard that Mr Williamson (35) was found hanged with his wrists slashed at his Bower Street home on October 12, 2006.

His father Lawrence Williamson, sister Susan Byrne and work colleague Cecil Lowe all gave evidence saying Mr Williamson was upset that he was made to make the delivery, for which he did not believe he had received sufficient training from G4 Securicor.

He claimed he was threatened with the sack if he didn’t.

He did not want to return to work but the firm’s trauma specialist said he was fit to do so. He complained of being pressurised, bullied and harassed by bosses who were withholding sick pay. He returned to work on August 8.

Mr Williamson senior, from Rochdale, said his son was slowly recovering from the attack and getting back to his old self but after meeting bosses he deteriorated and was no longer care free but agitated and distressed.

Mrs Byrne, from Chadderton, said: “I think he was quite angry. He had been sent to do a job he couldn’t do and had been attacked.”

Mr Lowe, from Droylsden, said: “Keith felt pressurised and bullied into returning to work. In my opinion, following the attack, Keith was not given enough time by management to recover.”

But service manager John Cairns said the suggestions Keith had been picked on, given harder runs, equipment that didn’t work and was overall being bullied were complete nonsense.

Keith was described as hard working, fit and healthy and sociable.

The inquest is set to last three days.