Man hit by tram had £10 stolen from his pocket as he lay dying

CCTV shows father stepping back into vehicle’s path as serial offender ‘lunges’ for his pocket

Martin Rigg, 37, died after he was hit by a tram while trying to get away from thief Dane Whiteley and his brother Luke in Sheffield, 22 May, 2020. A coroner concluded he was unlawfully killed. (South Yorkshire Police /SWNS)

A pickpocket stole £10 from a man as he lay dying after being hit a tram, an inquest has heard.

Martin Rigg, 37, suffered severe head injuries when he was struck by the tram while trying to get away from Dane Whiteley and his brother in Sheffield city centre.

CCTV footage showed serial offender Whiteley “lunging” for Mr Rigg’s pocket, forcing him to step backwards into the path of the oncoming vehicle, Sheffield Coroner’s Court was told.

The father sadly died of his injuries four days later at Northern General Hospital in Sheffield.

His inquest heard a written statement from Detective Inspector Rob Platt, of South Yorkshire Police, who said the footage showed Whiteley “take something” from Mr Rigg’s pockets as he lay dying.

He added: “Mr Rigg had withdrawn £10 in cash but this wasn’t found on him after the incident.”

Whiteley and his brother, Luke, were arrested on suspicion of murder while police probed Mr Rigg’s death but they have both since died.

Dane Whiteley was found hanged in his prison cell the month after the incident while in custody for a separate offence.

Mr Platt said: “It was an unlawful act. From the CCTV, it’s clear Dane was the main perpetrator and Luke was following on.

“Dane will never face prosecution for this matter as he is now deceased.”

Coroner Robert Forest concluded Rigg, a steelworker, was unlawfully killed during the incident on 22 May last year.

He said: “Mr Rigg was confronted by one of the two males who reached for Mr Rigg’s pocket, him having just drawn £10 from a cash machine.

“Mr Rigg took two steps backwards, the second step bringing him into contact with the approaching tram.

“His head struck the left side of the tram’s windscreen causing a severe head injury which led to Mr Rigg’s death.

“The male who had confronted Mr Rigg removed a £10 note from Mr Rigg’s pocket after the collision before the arrival of the emergency services.”

Mr Rigg’s family issued a statement after the hearing, in which they described him as a “loving father” who was a “friend to many”.

They said: “Martin’s family are pleased with the coroner’s verdict and it does help towards bringing closure for the family.

“We would like to offer heartfelt thanks to everyone who came to Martin’s aid on the night of the incident.

“We would also like to offer sympathy to the tram driver after what must have been a traumatic ordeal.

“It has been a devastating loss for our family.”

The inquest heard Mr Rigg’s kidneys were taken for organ donation after his death, which helped to save two lives.

Additional reporting by SWNS