Knife-wielding robber only got away with lager

A SHOPKEEPER has told how he was threatened at knifepoint by a robber who escaped with just two cases of lager.

Faiz Faizi, who owns Mayfield Discount Store in Midlothian, was confronted by a knife-wielding man who demanded that he fill his bag with money and cigarettes.

But the armed robber's attempt to steal from the newsagent was scuppered when a customer walked in to the shop, allowing Mr Faizi to push the panic alarm under the counter.

Instead, the man grabbed two crates of Tennent's lager and ran out of the Bogwood Court shop, heading towards Mayfield public park.

Mr Faizi, 27, said: "A man came right up to the counter with a full face cover. He had a black bag and he told me to put money and cigarettes in it. I thought he was joking at first but then he pulled out quite a large knife. When I saw the knife, I was scared and I pressed the alarm button."

Mr Faizi's nephew Kafim Mustafa, 14, had been visiting him at the time and was also behind the counter when the incident took place at around 5.30pm on Monday.

The James Young High School pupil said: "I saw him pull the knife out of the bag and then a customer - a teenage boy - walked in and walked straight back out when he saw the knife. The man put the knife back in his bag and then my uncle set the panic alarm off. We were both shocked and scared.

"When he first asked my uncle to put money and cigarettes in the bag, he said 'are you having a laugh with me?'"

Kafim, who lives in Livingston, added that the blade on the knife, which he described as being similar to a kitchen knife, was around 10-15cm long.

Father-of-three Mr Faizi, who is originally from Pakistan but now lives in Gorebridge, has owned the grocery store for around seven years.

Kafim, who contacted the police after the robber left, said: "When my uncle bought the shop around seven years ago, someone broke in during the night and stole cigarettes, but apart from that nothing like this has happened before.

"I thought my uncle was quite brave, I probably would've given him the money right away."

The suspect is described as white, 5ft 6ins tall with a medium build. He was wearing a khaki jacket and blue jeans, and had a hood and scarf across his face. He was carrying a bag.

Lothian and Borders Police are now appealing for anyone who witnessed anything suspicious to come forward.

A police spokesman said: "Fortunately the shopkeeper was uninjured during this theft, but he was left shaken.

"We are keen to speak to anyone who saw any suspicious activity, and would urge them to contact police immediately.

"Similarly, anyone who recognises the description of the suspect should also come forward."

Anyone with information should contact police on 0131- 311 3131, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.