Pair jailed for shopkeeper attack

A DRUG dealer who stamped on a Pakistani shopkeeper has been jailed for a year.

Bajinder Bajwa was chasing a group of "nuisance" ten-year-olds out of his Edinburgh corner shop when convicted cocaine dealer Ryan Moore, 22, attacked him.

He jumped in front of Mr Bajwa, punched him so hard in the face that he fell to the ground and began stamping on his head and body.

Moore's accomplice, Terrence Carlin, returned to the shop the next day threatening to kill anyone who reported them to the police.

Yesterday, at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Moore was jailed after he admitted the attack.

Carlin, 21, was also jailed for a year for beating up Mr Bajwa's brother Kawaldeep, who had tried to stop the attack.

The unemployed pair were in the Craigmillar shop to get more alcohol for a drinking session on 25 October.

Fiscal depute Gerard Drugan said: "Mr Bajwa was at the front entrance of Hays convenience store sweeping and keeping an eye on some boys, who had been coming in and out of the store causing a nuisance. His brother Kawaldeep heard an object striking the shop window and they went outside to investigate.

"Mr Bajwa challenged the youths, but Moore arrived and shouted, "What the f*** are you doing?" before punching him repeatedly to the head.

"Because of that, Carlin exited the shop and joined Moore in repeatedly punching Mr Bajwa to the head and body. He was knocked to the ground and Moore stamped on his head and body."

Sheriff James Scott told the two accused he was "satisfied that no sentence other than custody is appropriate."