A philosophy professor's attempt to stop a car thief resulted in a fatal confrontation, with the inquest revealing the tense moments that led to the man's death.
A philosophy professor’s attempt to stop a car thief resulted in a fatal confrontation, with the inquest revealing the tense moments that led to the man’s death. The incident, which took place in, has sparked a detailed examination of the events that unfolded in Axminster, Devon.
The inquest at Exeter Coroner’s Court heard how Daniel Smith, a 35-year-old drug addict, was fleeing from four police officers when he attempted to steal a car from an elderly couple’s garden. Smith, who was heavily scratched and wearing only shorts and trainers, managed to steal a set of keys and jump into a silver Vauxhall Astra.
The Confrontation in the Car
The thief was spotted by homeowner Dr. Charlie Thame, a philosophy professor who specializes in mainland Southeast Asia and the political theory of Karl Marx. Dr. Thame rushed forward and got into the passenger seat with his legs dangling outside the vehicle.
He described feeling ‘shocked, angry, and fearful’ for his girlfriend, believing Smith might be a violent man.
Dr. Thame described Smith as a tall and larger man than himself, appearing ‘trapped like a wild animal.’ A struggle ensued in the car at around 10:30 am, with Smith attempting to punch the professor and grab his testicles. Dr. Thame feared Smith might be reaching for a knife and tried to pull him from the car. In the process, his arm slipped into a headlock under Smith’s armpit.
The Aftermath and Testimonies
Smith stopped struggling while a neighbor screamed hysterically. Dr. Thame stated that the neighbor said the man was unconscious and that he released him immediately. Smith was put on the ground and given chest compressions, with Dr. Thame believing the thief was on a form of opiates due to his foaming mouth and dilated pupils.
Dr. Thame refuted a neighbor’s claim that he had his knee on Smith’s neck, stating, ‘At no point did I have my knee on his neck, that is a complete misrepresentation and fabrication of what transpired.’ He also denied punching Smith multiple times, explaining his actions were to prevent Smith from driving at his father and potentially causing severe harm.
Dr. Thame’s father, Geoff Thame, described the ordeal as ‘a bit surreal.’ He recounted how Smith looked wild, very agitated, wide-eyed, and frothing at the mouth, bouncing like a kangaroo. Geoff Thame added that they did not know if Smith was armed with a knife. He mentioned that his son shouted at Smith to ‘get out of my f***ing car’ before trying to grab the keys.
The Police Pursuit and Investigation
Avon and Somerset Police had sent four officers to the Devon-Dorset border to arrest Smith over a burglary in Yeovil, Somerset. Smith was spotted at the Harvest Energy service station in Axminster, and the police used their two cars to block his vehicle. However, Smith jumped out and leapt over a wall, initiating a pursuit that ended fatally.
Smith died from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest combined with acute behavioral disturbance, cocaine use, and holding restraint. Detective Constable Sharon Moore of Devon and Cornwall Police stated that Dr. Thame was interviewed while in custody and later released, with no further action taken against him.
The inquest continues to shed light on the tragic events that unfolded on that fateful day in.
