Yorkshire pub chef slams police after assault arrest
Martin Swinger, chef at the Ivanhoe, Scarborough, tackled the man after finding a fire next to his bedroom and alerting the authorities.
He said: “We had a little scuffle – I got him on the floor and the police and fire service came.
'I could have been dead'
“They arrested me on suspicion of assault. When I tackled him I was full of anger, I thought my life was in danger – I could have been dead.”
The 22-year old man who Swinger tackled was also arrested.
Swinger spent roughly 18 hours in a cell after the incident before being released on bail and is yet to learn if he will be charged.
He said: “I feel the justice system is very wrong... I was only protecting my life. I wasn’t thinking and I had no intention of hurting the guy,” adding that he felt the local community had been very supportive of him.
'Reasonable force'
The Scarborough News reported that the 22-year old spent two days in hospital following his apprehension by the chef. However, Swinger claimed to have used “reasonable force”.
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said the investigation was ongoing.
This was the second fire to have damaged the pub this year, having suffered a similar blaze in August.
