Watch moment 'career criminals' are arrested after attempted robbery led to death of 83-year-old in Birmingham

Bodycam footage shows the moment West Midlands Police arrested two “career criminals” after their actions led to the death of an 83-year-old man in a failed bid to rob him of his watch in Birmingham.

The force says Neil O’Donnell had just pulled into a rehabilitation centre on Shaftmoor Lane, Hall Green, to visit his partner when career criminal Tony Griffin, who was armed with what was believed to be a screwdriver, ran up to his car and tried to grab the watch.

Neil managed to fend Griffin off and he was chased away by staff. Neil was treated in hospital for an arm injury caused by Griffin grappling with him and later discharged. But his health deteriorated, and he died from complications arising from an infection caused by the injury a week after the attack, which happened on May 14.

The force says accomplice Wesley McDonnell had arrived at a nearby Co-op store at the same time as Neil, around 30 minutes before the attack.

Griffin, aged 54, was captured on CCTV dumping his top and cap in a wheelie bin as he fled the scene on foot, and both men were identified by officers. Wesley McDonnell, aged 46, was identified thanks to facial recognition from CCTV images, with further enquiries identifying Tony Griffin as his accomplice.

Last year, the pair, of College Road, Birmingham, were both found guilty of manslaughter after a trial at Warwick Crown Court. Griffin had admitted attempted robbery at an earlier hearing, and McDonnell was found guilty of the same offence. Griffin has 14 previous convictions for 32 offences including burglary, robbery and kidnapping. McDonnell has 29 convictions for 85 offences, including burglary, wounding with intent and robbery.

On January 13, at the same court, they were each jailed for 15 years for manslaughter, and ordered to serve at least two thirds of their sentence before they can be considered for release.

Detective Inspector Nigel Box, from the force’s homicide team, said: “This was a violent attack on an elderly man who was simply going about his day.

“You can see from the footage that the struggle lasted some time, and Griffin was clearly determined to take the watch, despite Neil resisting.

“We were able to show that the injury to Neil’s arm directly led to his death, and the CCTV showed Griffin and McDonnell as the two men involved.

“They are both career criminals and wrongly assumed Neil would be an easy target.

“Neil’s death has been devastating for his family, who have asked for privacy while they continue to grieve. We have supported them throughout the court process, and our thoughts remain with them.”