An international bodyguard is set to hold self-protection courses in the Czech Republic, Kuwait and India next year – but first he’s making sure the people of Moray have a safe Christmas.
Lee Sansum has travelled the world providing professional security since 1995 for clients including Princess Diana, Alex Salmond, various British Government officials and, most recently, the head of the European Mission in Libya.
He has also taught self-protection to Somali Special Forces and will roll out a protection training courses across the globe next year.
However, the security consultant’s focus is far closer to home next week, as he is running two free self protection workshops in Forres and Elgin – both with the theme of keeping safe during the festive period.
Mr Sansum, who runs a martial arts academy in Elgin, said: “We are aware when the party season comes – with the dark nights and the alcohol – it can all combine to make an ideal place for crimes against a person.
“In December, the aim is to give our students some handy tips that will keep them safe over the festive period into January. I figured we will just throw it open to the public this year, so anyone can come, and it’s free. If we can just help a couple of people stay a little bit safer, that’s job done.”
When asked if it’s hard to balance life from the warzones to home, the 52-year-old said: “Sometimes I think, ‘Woah, is this happening’? It’s trying to manage it. When I come back from a hostile environment, it can take weeks to settle down, but I remember, in 2012, when I evacuated an oil exploration company from Somalia, it was quite a tricky time. It was something like Wild Geese the movie when we finally got out.
“We evacuated our clients in 72 hours from the desert, and we finally got out from Djibouti. I flew back into Inverness. I arrived back in Elgin at 2pm and at 4pm I was teaching six-year-old kids and taking them for a grading. Half way through I kept thinking, ‘Am I really here?’ But, it helps get back into normal life, just throwing yourself into it.”
The workshops will be at Mosset Tavern in Forres next Thursday from 7.30pm to 9pm, and at Eight Acres Hotel in Elgin on Friday night from 7.30pm to 9pm. To register, call 07775918079