Black-belt shopkeeper left attacker ‘begging to be let go’

♦ An armed raider begged to be let go after the shopkeeper he targeted turned out to be a karate black belt.

Sibu Kuruvilla sprang into action when an assailant came into his Leicester shop, brandishing what appeared to be a pistol.

Mr Kuruvilla and an assistant were about to close at 10pm on Christmas Eve when the man shouted for them to hand over money, waving the gun.

Unfortunately for the visitor, 43-year-old Mr Kuruvilla is a 1st Dan black ban in Seibukan karate – and even teaches the martial art to youngsters.

With a gun pointed at his head, Mr Kuruvilla waited for the assailant to get close before snatching the pistol.

He and his colleague then wrestled the attacker into submission.

Asked if he thought the man had been expecting the moves, Mr Kuruvilla said: “He was thinking ‘Easy money; two minutes, two grand’. He was a big bloke. He was begging towards the end. He was tired, he gave up. ‘Please let me go, please let me go’ and he said, ‘I will not come back to your shop’

“I said, ‘You will not come back to this shop – but you’ll go to another, so I won’t let you go.’ Then he gave up.”

Leicestershire Police said a 17-year-old male was arrested and has been bailed pending police inquiries.