A man who was awarded the bravery award after being shot in the face by a bank robber has sadly took his own life after suffering nightmares and depression, his son has said.
Tom Jones was shot by Jonathan Pay after wrestling him to the ground during the failed raid at Lloyds Bank in Liphook, Hampshire, in 2016.
His son, Tom, said his father suffered post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) before his death in February, aged 54.
Tom has been planning a charity walk to raise money for the Samaritans.
The attack left a pellet lodged in the base of the skull of Mr Jones, who had been in the bank as a customer with his wife.
Both subsequently received awards for bravery from Hampshire Constabulary’s chief constable for intervening in the robbery.
Det Con Kat Bird said their actions in tackling Pay and grabbing his bag helped provide evidence forensically linking him to the offence.
In November 2016, giving an anonymous interview to the BBC, Mr Jones he recalled his heroic actions, he said: “I had him on the floor and nearly got the gun off him but his friend stabbed me and he shot me in the face,
“I dragged him out of the bank then he came back in and shot me again through my hair-line.
“It was adrenaline, complete instinct. I thought my life was going to end in the bank.”
His 34-year-old son said Pay first held the gun to his mother’s head, which is what had led his father to intervene.
Tom said: “He became a shadow of his former self as the shot was lodged in his central nervous system, so he was in constant pain,
“He had nightmares about it and hit the drink to help him sleep. It was a downward spiral from there.
“Eventually he distanced himself a bit from everyone.
“His drinking was so bad we had to tell the pubs to not serve him.”
He said he hoped his charity walk along the South Downs Way, between 25 and 30 August, would help others: “I am hoping other people in that state of mind will reach out and know that it’s acceptable to feel that way and there is a way out that doesn’t include taking your own life,
“Some good must come of his death.”
Pay, of Liphook Road, Lindford, was jailed for 16-and-a-half years in 2016, having previously admitted wounding with intent, having an imitation firearm with intent and two counts of attempted robbery.
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Editor-in-Chief | Carl D. Pearson has been involved in British politics and media from an early age, with the key knowledge of what it takes to run a news organisation for the 21st century. Mr Pearson, as Editor-in-chief, is responsible for supervising the daily tasks of publishing media and content to UNN’s website and various platforms.
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