Store intruder was killer driver

The body of Bruce Allan Jones is taken through a back door from the Mt Albert pharmacy in which he died while wrestling with shop owner Grant Gillard. Photo / Getty Images

A burglar who died while wrestling with a pharmacist in the man's store was a convicted killer driver with an extensive criminal history.

Bruce Allan Jones, 43, died from a suspected heart attack after confronting Mt Albert pharmacist Grant Gillard early on Tuesday.

Mr Gillard was securing his premises after being called to a break-in at the New North Rd property, which he and his wife Vera have owned since 1969.

He encountered Jones as he was locking up, and a scuffle ensued.

The Herald can today reveal Jones was a career criminal, who had spent years in and out of prison.

His record includes a 30-month sentence in 2003 for causing a fatal car crash while high on cannabis, methadone and tranquilisers.

The crash, on March 28, 2002, happened after Jones, who had just shared a joint with two people and was driving to Auckland via Katikati, swerved across the road several times, causing other motorists to take evasive action.

At one stage he drove in the wrong lane for 200m, and reached speeds of up to 120km/h.

Just south of Katikati, he swerved across the centre line and collided with another vehicle, killing the driver, Lorraine Joyce Hodgson.

The crash broke his legs and jaw, and seriously injured his partner, Melanie Jones.

Blood analysis after the crash revealed he had taken cannabis, methadone and tranquillisers.

Later, he said he had no memory of the collision, but his driving had been "disgusting" and he "wished it was me that had been killed".

His lawyer at the time, Matthew Goodwin, remembered him as a "troubled character" who suffered from a combination of drug use and sports-related head injuries.

Lorraine Hodgson's husband, Bill, said last night that he had been angry after the accident, but had found forgiveness over the years.

"The boss man upstairs organises all this, and you just have to go along with it, that's my attitude."

Jones continued to amass burglary and theft convictions - and one for possession of an offensive weapon - following his release from prison.

He was jailed again in 2008, in Hamilton, for three burglary offences, and in May this year was sentenced to one month for driving while disqualified.

He had been indefinitely disqualified after the fatal crash.

Jones was also due in the Manukau District Court yesterday to answer a charge of receiving stolen goods.

When the Herald yesterday visited Jones' Mt Albert home - not far from where he died - residents said they had been told not to talk about him.

Mr and Mrs Gillard were yesterday recovering at home.

Mrs Gillard said the phone "rang all night" with well-wishers, but the family wanted their privacy.

Mr Gillard said it had been a difficult time that came about because "these people are targeting pharmacies".

No charges have been been laid against Mr Gillard, and his lawyer Richard Earwaker last night said they were waiting for police to complete their inquiries.

Supporters of Mr Gillard yesterday spoke of an "honourable, respectful" man who gave support to many in Mt Albert.

Geoff Dale said Mr Gillard had looked after his family for more than 30 years.

"He's a real good bloke and I was shocked to hear he's been put in this position."

- ADDITIONAL REPORTING: EDWARD GAY