Shane Bryant death: Man's concern over robber's breathing

Shane Bryant was confronted by a group after raiding a Co-op store in Ashby-de-la-Zouch

A man who helped restrain a robber who was held down in the street has said he was concerned about the man's ability to breathe.

Shane Bryant died after he was confronted by a group following a raid on a Co-op in Leicestershire, in 2017.

The unnamed witness told an inquest into Mr Bryant's death a crowd came out of nearby pubs during the 17 minutes he was restrained.

He said: "I don't think people realised he had stopped moving."

North Leicestershire Coroner's Court had earlier heard the 29-year-old, from Birmingham, was taken ill at the scene in Ashby-de-la-Zouch before being pronounced dead two days later.

The witness said Mr Bryant became "completely different" during the time he was restrained

The witness - who was not identified and referred to as person 33 - told the hearing he left a pub just after 22:00 BST when he was asked to help restrain Mr Bryant.

He told the jury that while holding one of Mr Bryant's arms, he became concerned the robber was "struggling to breathe".

"I remember telling people around me," he added.

Towards the end of the restraint, the witness said Mr Bryant "was completely different to when I first arrived. I don't think people realised he had stopped moving".

He added at one point, a drunk man with a Geordie accent put his foot on Mr Bryant's head, and the witness punched the man's leg to move it away.

'Struggling extremely violently'

A second witness also gave evidence.

The retired West Midlands police officer, who was not named and was referred to as "person 20", told the jury he was at a pub with his brother when he saw something happening.

He put Mr Bryant, who he said was "very strong" and "struggling extremely violently", into a headlock.

He denied having his arm around Mr Bryant's neck when questioned by the family's lawyer.

He added: "I did check his pulse a couple of times to make sure everything was fine. His pulse around the neck area was racing away."

The witness told the court he did not have any concerns about how Mr Bryant was being handled.

"When I stepped away someone said Mr Bryant did not look too good - that shocked me," he added.

The inquest, which is due to last three weeks, continues.