Shopkeeper stood up to gunman in terrifying raid

Jul 16 2008 by Gordon Robertson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

A BRAVE shopkeeper has told how an armed thug stood over him and pulled out a “gun” during a terrifying raid on a local store.

Faisal Umer (31), was sprawled on the ground outside the Fair Deal shop he manages in Plains after brawling with the hooded robber.

He had stumbled at the doorway of the shop as he tussled with the maniac who was also armed with a knife and noose.

But the quick thinking dad-of-three kicked robber James Kerr between the legs before grabbing the gun, which turned out to be fake, and holding him at bay until the police arrived.

Faisal said: “He went into the back of the shop and I followed him and asked what he was doing. He turned and put a knife to my throat and said ‘give me money’. I asked him to calm down and gave him money from my back pocket.

“Then he tried to put the rope round my neck and said he wanted more money.

“I just grabbed him and we struggled out through the shop. I grabbed the knife and threw it away and managed to press the panic button to alert the police.

“He tried to get away and I ended up face down outside the shop and saw him going for the gun which was in the waist band of his trousers.

“I was frightened because I didn’t know it wasn’t a real gun at the time so I kicked him between the legs and grabbed the gun.”

Kerr was sentenced to two years in jail at the High Court in Edinburgh for the botched robbery.

Advocate depute Jennifer Bain said: “The accused produced a black gun which he presented at Mr Umer who kicked him between the legs and took possession of the gun.”

Lord Hodge told Kerr at the High Court in Edinburgh: “You are a 42-year-old man and should know this behaviour is wholly unacceptable.”

But the judge said he took into account that it was “not a sophisticated robbery” and Kerr, who had been drinking at the time, did not have a record for violence.

He told Kerr that he hoped he would use his time in jail to address his problems with alcohol dependency.

Kerr, of Kintyre Crescent, Plains, had earlier admitted assault and robbery of £170, possession of an imitation firearm and attacking Mr Umer on March 5 this year at Fair Deal Stores in Ballochney Drive.

In defence, counsel Frances Connor said alcohol addiction had blighted Kerr’s life and added he had expressed “shame and regret” over the offence against the shopkeeper with whom he had been very friendly.

Despite suffering cuts and a bloody nose in the attack, Mr Umer showed some sympathy for Kerr.

“It is quite sad because he was a regular customer and had never behaved like that before,” he told the Advertiser. “His family are nice as well.”