The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Fife shop robbers jailed
TWO ROBBERS who held up a Kirkcaldy shop, leaving the owner in fear for his life, were yesterday jailed at Dumbarton High Court.
Robbers Jay Johnstone and Sonny Gibson were sentenced to four years and eight months each by Lord Pentland following conviction for the robbery at Malkha’s News and Wine Store in Birnam Road, Kirkcaldy, on July 1.
Police Scotland last night welcomed the sentence for what had been a “disgusting” crime.
Shop owner and father of three Fazal Sindhu previously told how he feared for his life as he stared down the barrel of a gun during the terrifying ordeal.
He told how his thoughts were for his family as two hooded robbers raided his store.
The shop boss had the pistol repeatedly shoved in his face while the thieves ransacked the till of the Birnam Road store.
Gunman Gibson, 26, and his accomplice Johnstone, 21, were caught on CCTV as they burst into the store demanding cash.
Gibson and Johnstone pleaded guilty to assault and robbery at the High Court in Edinburgh in October.
Wearing tracksuits and hoodies, the masked duo from Kirkcaldy shoved the imitation pistol in Mr Sindhu’s face as they emptied the till.
Mr Sindhu, 31, recalled previously: “I was thinking of my family, my wife and three daughters.
“I didn’t know what to say in case he shot me. I didn’t want to provoke him. They took all the money from the till, put it in a bag and ran away.”
Mr Sindhu has been in charge at the shop for six years and this is the first time he has had any trouble. A lthough the incident might be over and the culprits caught, for the shop boss the memory has yet to fade.
A rea commander Chief Inspector Derek McEwan said: “In the early evening of July 1 2013, Mr Sindhu the shop owner was confrontedronted byy two men,, one brandishingng a gun and threatening to shoot himm unlessu he handed over the day’s takings.ings. “This was a ter rifying
akiw experiencece ffor Mr Sindhu, who was genuinelynelly in fear for his life.”
“I welcomeom the sentence of both Jay Johnstonene anda Sonny Gibson. “To undertake suchsu a violent act and terrify a decent memberembber of the community just to steal a feww hundred pounds shows an utter disregarddisr for anyone’s wellbeing.
“I would like to pay tribute to Mr Sindhu andd thankt the majority of law-w-abidinga residents of the Templehallempmplehall area of Kirkcaldy whoo were disgusted by whatat had taken place and werew quick to come forwardwarrd to the police. With their assistance the resources of Police Scotland was able to bring this investigation to a successful conclusion.
“I would hope that this sentence sends a message to anyone else considering carrying out such an act.”