Violent robber escaped after injuring victim

The woman, who preferred not to be named, was working at Farley News in Farley Street on Wednesday May 30 just after 4pm when she was confronted by a man who had his face covered by dark clothing and was holding what appeared to her to be a gun.

She said the man pointed the object at her and said “Money, money - give me the money”.

The woman told him she had none and pressed the shop’s panic button, which set off the alarm.

The man then walked to the other side of the counter and pulled the till’s sliding tray back. The woman tried to push it back and the robber then hit her head three times with the object he was holding. When she then stepped back, he pushed a weighing scale on to her arm and hand and then ordered her to open the till.

The woman gave him the cash inside the till - between £140 and £150 - and he then ran off.

She was later taken to hospital and it was found that she had suffered a fractured hand, whiplash and bruising.

She took a few days off work but then took the decision to return. Speaking this week, she said: “I was in such a shock. I am now frightened of being in the shop alone.

“I am not moving from the shop. At least then I can see who is coming from the door.

“I have worked here for 19 years. It is a family business.

“There was one incident eight years ago when my husband and I were attacked with a knife, but this was the first time I was attacked when I was alone.”

Another man had been seen waiting outside the shop for the offender, who was seen walking up Farley Street before turning right along Gordon Street. Both men then made off on pedal cycles down Gordon Street.

The attacker is described as white, aged between 18 and 20, of a skinny build and wearing black jeans and a black hooded top. The other man was thought to be of a similar age, of medium build and was wearing a grey scarf that was covering his face and a black hooded top.

Anyone who was in the area at the time and may have seen the two men are asked to call police on 415000.