Shopkeeper chased gunman out of store with wooden stick
A BRAVE shopkeeper carrying a wooden stick chased a gun-toting masked robber out of his store.
Jayendra Patel was alone in his shop in Maesteg when Rhys Randall burst in demanding money and brandishing what appeared to be a handgun.
Randall, Rhys Jervis and Courtney Donaldson were sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court last Wednesday for conspiracy to commit robbery.
Speaking after the hearing, South Wales Police Detective Constable Gillon Neal, who oversaw the investigation, said: “This was a cowardly and brazen attempt to rob a hardworking and wellrespected local shop owner.”
The court heard the incident occurred at 7.30pm on Tuesday, February 16, last year at M&V Store in Victoria Street in Maesteg.
Prosecutor Andrew Davies said Jervis entered the shop first to “scope out” the premises, establishing that shopkeeper Mr Patel was alone.
Randall then entered with his hood pulled over his face and pointed a black handgun in the victim’s face, demanding: “Give me the money.”
The court heard Mr Patel picked up a wooden stick from behind the counter and chased him out of the shop.
Prosecutors said Randall returned a few moments later and the shopkeeper called the police before Donaldson created a distraction so the others could leave.
Mr Patel managed to take down the registration of the black car involved, which was traced to Randall and Donaldson’s address in George Street in Neath, where officers recovered the handgun.
Reading from Mr Patel’s victim impact statement, the prosecutor said: “He spoke of his fear and concern when the weapon was pointed straight into his face.”
Mr Davies argued the aggravating factors included the fact it was a “targeted” and preplanned offence that hap- pened at night.
Randall, 23, admitted conspiracy to commit robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.
David Purnell, defending, said his client had shown “genuine remorse” and wished to apologise to the victim personally.
Jervis, 22, from Southville Road in Port Talbot, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery.
David Leathley, defend- ing, argued his client had “fleeting involvement”.
Courtney Donaldson, 19, was also found guilty of the robbery charge.
Robin Rouch, defending, said her relationship with Randall had a “de- structive impact” and argued she presented a very low risk of re-offending.
Judge Michael Fitton QC said he did not accept the defendants had shown real remorse.
He noted Mr Patel stated he had suffered from “fear and anxiety” during and since the incident.
Randall was jailed for five years while Jervis and Donaldson were each jailed for three years.