Sainsbury’s sacks ‘beloved’ worker who stepped in to help security guard restrain two shoplifters after he ‘heard a woman screaming’
Sainsbury's has sacked Jorge Costa, a 57-year-old fruit and vegetable worker at its Hertford superstore, after he stepped in to help a security guard restrain two suspected shoplifters. Mr Costa said he acted after hearing a woman screaming for help and seeing the guard struggling with the pair, but Sainsbury's ruled he had breached company policy against shop-floor staff intervening in thefts, deeming his actions gross misconduct. The case has sparked anger among regular customers, who argue a well-liked, long-serving employee has been unfairly punished for doing the right thing.
Mr Costa, who had worked at the store for two years without any absences, admitted punching one of the shoplifters but said this was in self-defence; the pair fled without the goods they had taken. He was suspended two weeks after the incident and dismissed without notice on 29 July, with Sainsbury's saying he put himself and colleagues at risk, partly because bodycam footage did not capture any scream for help. Mr Costa disputes the company's account, saying the footage only showed the latter part of the incident, and says he was thanked by colleagues afterwards. Local supporters, including beauty therapist Laura Cook, have launched a campaign calling for his reinstatement.
- Sainsbury's sacked Jorge Costa for helping restrain shoplifters
- He says he punched one shoplifter in self-defence
- Customers have launched a campaign for his reinstatement
New here? Start with this
Sainsbury's has sacked Jorge Costa, a fruit and vegetable worker at its Hertford store, after he intervened when a security guard was struggling to restrain two suspected shoplifters. The 57-year-old says he stepped in after hearing a woman scream for help, and admits he punched one of the men, which he describes as self-defence. Sainsbury's dismissed him for gross misconduct, saying staff are not permitted to physically intervene in suspected thefts, a policy typically in place to protect employees from injury and legal risk.
The case has drawn attention because Mr Costa had worked at the store for two years with a clean record, and many regular customers and colleagues describe him as well liked and hardworking. His dismissal has prompted a local campaign, led by supporters including a nearby beauty therapist, calling for him to be reinstated.
At the heart of the dispute is disagreement over what actually happened during the incident, including whether a scream for help was audible and how much of the confrontation was captured on the guard's bodycam. The story raises broader questions about how retailers balance staff safety rules against employees' instincts to help in a crisis, and how such policies are applied and judged after the fact.