Black belt karate coach takes out would-be thief while wearing new high heels

Mairi Kerin is a blackbelt in karate – and managed to take down the thief in no time (Picture: SWNS)

A black belt karate coach managed to send a would-be thief empty-handed from a shop while breaking in her new heels.

Mairi Kerin, 42, had been buying chocolates when a man came in and began threatening staff at LOCO Convenience Store in Telford, Shropshire.

She said she ‘didn’t think twice’ about jumping in to help the shopkeeper after hearing the man threaten: ‘I’m going to take your money.’

‘I had a bit of a bad back so I was quite slow and as I got out of the car I noticed this person all covered up and thought ‘You look like you’re going to rob a shop,’ Mairi recalled.

”I remember telling myself you can’t think that about people, can’t pigeon-hole people like that – thought that maybe he’s just got a bike somewhere, he’s been out riding or whatever.’

Dramatic CCTV captured martial arts expert Mairi confronting and chasing the crook from the shop before he ran away down the street.

Mairi has since been awarded a Police Chief Superintendent Commendation Award by West Mercia Police after intervening on March 3, 2023.

She had nipped to the shop looking for chocolates to surprise her nieces when she saw the man enter the store and knew something was off.

‘I heard the shopkeeper ask, “Why did you put something against the door?” and I heard him reply, “Because I’m going to take your money.” He said it really cool, really calm,’ Mairi said.

‘I had been getting ready to pay, so I put my phone and my keys away and then it all happened quickly. He stepped forward, I could see his pockets were full and I thought he had weapons, my eyes were glued to his pockets.’

After seeing his left hand still in his pocket, Mairi grabbed his arm and kicked him in the shins.

She joked that her ‘John Wayne-style walk’ back to the counter was from pain from trying to break in some heels for a new job that day.

Thief Jordan Hickman who was was brought to justice after being involved in a crime spree part of which Mairi Kerin prevented. Photo released March 6 2025. A have-a-go-hero karate coach has told how she sent a would-be robber packing empty-handed from a shop - in her new high heels. Black belt Mairi Kerin, 42, had been buying chocolates when a man came in and began threatening staff at LOCO Convenience Store in Telford, Shrops. She leapt into action and grabbed the would-be thief's arm and delivered a couple of quick firm kicks to the shins before he scarpered out of the store. Dramatic CCTV captures Mairi then chasing the crook from the shop before he ran away down the street. — Jordan Hickman was jailed for the crime spree (Picture: SWNS)

Thief Jake Jones who was was brought to justice after being involved in a crime spree part of which Mairi Kerin prevented. Photo released March 6 2025. A have-a-go-hero karate coach has told how she sent a would-be robber packing empty-handed from a shop - in her new high heels. Black belt Mairi Kerin, 42, had been buying chocolates when a man came in and began threatening staff at LOCO Convenience Store in Telford, Shrops. She leapt into action and grabbed the would-be thief's arm and delivered a couple of quick firm kicks to the shins before he scarpered out of the store. Dramatic CCTV captures Mairi then chasing the crook from the shop before he ran away down the street. — Jake Jones was also involved in the spate of thefts (Picture: SWNS)

‘I was wearing new heels at the time and I was trying to break them in – I hadn’t worn heels since lockdown so I needed some practice. That, the bad back, and just not being in the mood resulted in that swagger back to the desk. It makes me laugh when I watch it now,’ she said.

Mairi said that her intervention wasn’t bravery, instead, she credits it to self-belief after 20 years of martial arts training that has seen her represent England and the Republic of Ireland.

She added: ‘The time was right, and I’m glad I was there. People have asked whether I was scared. No, I was not.

‘I’ve imagined taking the legs of far more people than I will ever need to and have trained with this type of event in mind for over 20 years. I have sparred in full-contact sessions with people far heavier than me and have been through the mill many times.

‘In my opinion this is not stupidity or bravado, it’s a reflection of self-belief.’

According to police, the incident was part of a series of robberies that were carried out across Telford that month.

Jordan Hickman, 29, Jake Jones, 21, and an 18-year-old, who could not be named for legal reasons, were later jailed for a combined total of 18 years for their involvement.