Representational Image.
London:
A knife-wielding robber, who was scared off by a 61-year-old Indian-origin shopkeeper during a robbery attempt, has been sentenced to three years behind bars in the UK.
Narendra Patel was at the counter of Sherborne News in Swindon, Wiltshire, when he was confronted by Damien Bendall with a seven-inch blade.
Mr Patel bravely stood his ground and grabbed the golf club he keeps behind the counter. Bendall fled empty-handed and later handed himself in to police.
He was sentenced to three years behind bars for the crime last week.
"I was ready with the golf club and he just pulled back and ran. It was a natural reflex to protect myself and my business," Mr Patel told 'Western Daily Press'.
The incident occurred on June 7 after Bendall came into the shop and lurked suspiciously near the fridge while talking into his cellphone.
He paid for a sports drink and turned to walk off before taking a second call.
Mr Patel recalled: "At that point I could see he was going to do something unusual or grab something, so I became a little bit concerned.
"He said nothing to me at all but I knew he was going to do something because customers never stay in the shop for more than a couple of minutes. I reached for the golf club just in case, which I always have within arm's reach.
"It was with a second phone call he pulled the knife out. He said nothing at all. He just showed the knife and expected me to hand over some money."
Mr Patel then dialled the emergency 999 number and police scrambled a helicopter and sniffer dogs in pursuit.
There was no evidence linking Bendall to the raid but 12 days later his guilty conscience got the better of him and he contacted police to confess, Swindon Crown Court was told.
Mr Patel said he was happy with Bendall's sentence and hoped he would turn his life around on release.
Narendra Patel was at the counter of Sherborne News in Swindon, Wiltshire, when he was confronted by Damien Bendall with a seven-inch blade.
Mr Patel bravely stood his ground and grabbed the golf club he keeps behind the counter. Bendall fled empty-handed and later handed himself in to police.
He was sentenced to three years behind bars for the crime last week.
"I was ready with the golf club and he just pulled back and ran. It was a natural reflex to protect myself and my business," Mr Patel told 'Western Daily Press'.
The incident occurred on June 7 after Bendall came into the shop and lurked suspiciously near the fridge while talking into his cellphone.
He paid for a sports drink and turned to walk off before taking a second call.
Mr Patel recalled: "At that point I could see he was going to do something unusual or grab something, so I became a little bit concerned.
"He said nothing to me at all but I knew he was going to do something because customers never stay in the shop for more than a couple of minutes. I reached for the golf club just in case, which I always have within arm's reach.
"It was with a second phone call he pulled the knife out. He said nothing at all. He just showed the knife and expected me to hand over some money."
Mr Patel then dialled the emergency 999 number and police scrambled a helicopter and sniffer dogs in pursuit.
There was no evidence linking Bendall to the raid but 12 days later his guilty conscience got the better of him and he contacted police to confess, Swindon Crown Court was told.
Mr Patel said he was happy with Bendall's sentence and hoped he would turn his life around on release.
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