Lingfield security guard returns after being hurt in burglary

A security guard was back at work for one of Lingfield's most popular meetings last night, just seven days after being struck in the face by a ball bearing fired at point-blank range from a catapult while he was trying to apprehend a burglar.

Steve Swainy, who lost his front teeth and required facial surgery, was on routine patrol late in the evening on July 9, which was not one of the track’s regular summer Saturday race nights, when he came across two males, believed to be in their mid to late teens, trying to break into the Parasol bar on the paddock lawn.

Andrew Perkins, executive director for Lingfield, said yesterday: “They were breaking into an external bar in the area where we have music, which was all boarded up. Security spotted what was going on and went over to apprehend them, which resulted in Steve suffering facial injuries, unfortunately, before they ran off.