St Leonards Sainsbury’s death: Police provide update to manslaughter investigation

A 40-year-old man died outside Sainsbury's supermarket, in John Macadam Way, St Leonards. Picture: Google

Police investigating the death of a 40-year-old man outside a Sainsbury’s supermarket in St Leonards have released one man while two other men remain under investigation.

Police were called to the store, in John Macadam Way, off Sedlescombe Road North, after reports of a shoplifting offence at 9.45pm on Tuesday (July 2).

Paul Knight, 40, of Bexhill Road, St Leonards, was pronounced dead at the scene despite attempts by police and paramedics to resuscitate him.

Three men, aged 28, 24 and 53, were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and released under investigation, police said.

However, on Tuesday (January 7), a police spokesman said the 24-year-old man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter has been released with no further action.

The investigation is ongoing, according to police, while the 28 and 53-year-old men remain under investigation.

Police investigating St Leonards Sainsbury’s death were responding to ‘suspected shoplifting’

Three arrested after man dies outside St Leonards Sainsbury’s

At the time of the incident, Detective Chief Inspector Alex Geldart from the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team said: “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends at this time.

“We would like to hear from anyone who was in the store or just outside the entrance on Tuesday evening at about 9.30pm who may have witnessed something which could help with our investigation.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have relevant mobile phone footage, is asked to contact police online (https://www.sussex.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/) or by phoning 101, quoting Operation Millbank.

Police said the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is carrying out an independent investigation into the death after a mandatory referral was made by Sussex Police Professional Standards Department due to the attendance of police to the incident.

Shortly after the death, a Sainsbury’s spokesman said: “We are helping the police with their enquiries. Our thoughts are with the person’s family.”