Tri-Service
Have A Nice Trip! Soldier Helps Police Catch Suspected Drug Dealer
A bystander that helped police as they chased a suspected drug dealer has been named as Lance Sergeant Matthew Lawson.
The 37-year-old was treating his wife to a romantic early Valentine's evening out when they witnessed a police pursuit in Kingston town centre.
Lance Sergeant Lawson, a euphonium player in the Band of the Scots Guards, said:
"I heard a shout: 'STOP! POLICE!' And immediately my military training just kicked in. I saw the policemen chasing a guy and I thought: 'he's a bit of a whippet, they'll never catch him'.
"So I reckoned I'd buy them a few seconds, and just stuck my leg out to trip him up. The guy fell and as the police grabbed him, they called back 'cheers, mate, thank you' and my wife and I just continued on our way and thought nothing more of it".
After a worldwide social media appeal to discover the identity of the Good Samaritan, he was revealed today.
The Derby soldier, based in Wellington Barracks beside Buckingham Palace, will entertain Her Majesty The Queen on her 90th birthday. He has since been thanked by police for his actions.
The CCTV footage of the incident has become something of an internet sensation, which has left Matthew bemused.
The quietly-spoken soldier, who will perform at a special Commonwealth-themed Beating Retreat on Horse Guards Parade on 8th and 9th June and on the Queen's Birthday Parade on June 11th was, he says, just doing his public duty.
"I pay tribute to Matthew's actions in helping the police apprehend this suspect which underlines the standards and values the Armed Forces work to as well as their readiness to help keep us safe even when off-duty."
As a professional military musician with the Corps of Army Music, Lance Sergeant Lawson has served in Iraq, Bosnia, Cyprus and Northern Ireland.
Standing 6ft 2” tall and 7ft 10” in his tunic and bearskin Matthew is a keen rugby player. As soon as the news broke of his identity, his fellow musicians posted a “Trip Hazard” sign on his locker in typical Army banter.
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