Shop gun terror

STANDING strong . . . Ramesh with wife Padma at the Ashton Road shop

Pair chase off armed raiders with plastic stool

A PAIR of have-a-go heroes chased off two gun-wielding robbers . . . with a plastic stool.

Thieves burst into Bhana Convenience and Grocers Store in Hathershaw and pulled the trigger of a gun in the faces of shop owners Ramesh Bhana (58) and his wife Padma (56).
The silver pistol did not fire but brave Mr Bhana, who underwent a heart bypass 15 years ago, saw red and chased the robbers out of his store with the stool.

The father-of-four, who is a qualified engineer, said: “I normally can’t even kill a fly but that day I didn’t think twice, it was instinctive. We’ve been in this country since 1967 and have worked all our lives and paid our taxes. I thought ‘you’re not going to take this away from us.’”

The robbers, one wearing a balaclava and the other a black scarf over his face and a hooded top, struck at the Ashton Road shop on Sunday at about 7pm.

Mrs Bhana said: “I was worried when I saw the man with the scarf over his face but thought it was because of the cold weather.

“I asked him would he mind taking his hood down but then he pointed the gun in my face and demanded I open the till.

“I knelt down behind the counter and saw him pull the trigger at me before I pressed the panic button in front of me which alerted the police.”

At that point, Mr Bhana, who was in a back room, came out brandishing the stool.

Despite the robber twice pulling the trigger of the gun at him, he shouted at them to get out.

Mrs Bhana said: “He was scared but he suddenly felt very strong and shouted ‘get out of my shop’.

“They didn’t answer and ran away taking some cigarettes.”

The couple, who live above the shop, have managed the store for the past 20 years and said it was the first time something like this had happened to them.

They have been left shaken and are now considering selling up.

Mrs Bhana said: “We work seven days a week and we don’t work for a robber to come in and take from us. Our family were panicking, they want us to close for our own safety, but this is our home and our business.

“We were so lucky, we could be in a coffin right now.

“It is a terrible thing the robbers have done, they should be locked up forever.

“And not just a cushy life in prison with television and nice warm room, let them sleep on the floor.”

Mr Bhana, who has had heart attacks in the past, suffers from a condition where once he starts to bleed, it cannot stop.

He said: “We are very nervous still.

“We have loyal customers who will miss us if we move. But the situation has got worse over the years, there is no punishment in this country.

“However, I think the police have done a great job. They were here really quickly and we appreciate everything they have done for us.”

Officers are now appealing to anyone who has information to come forward.

A 30-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody for questioning.

Detective Constable Samantha Warrener, from Oldham CID, said: “When the trigger was pulled, I’m sure the victims feared the absolute worst and no-one should ever be put in that position when they are simply doing their job.

“Thankfully, whether by chance or design, the pistol did not fire but that does not detract from just how grave this offence is.

“The men we are looking for are cowardly, dangerous and without conscience and we need to find them.

“I would however like to reassure the community that we have made an arrest and our officers are doing everything they can to find those responsible.

“Although we have made one arrest, we will not be complacent until the offenders are behind bars, and this is where the public can help.

“I would ask anyone with information to come forward.

“With the public’s help, we can send the message that those who carry guns will end up in prison for a long time.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Oldham CID on 0161 856 8951 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.