Terrified shopkeeper chased gun thug to protect his wife

Urfan Hussain and wife Shazia in Muirhouse Post Office.

Urfan Hussain, 29, pursued thug Craig Vallance for more than 300 yards before he took refuge in a block of flats.

The incident sparked a manhunt spanning ten addresses before Vallance was eventually found hiding behind a laundry basket at a friend's home by armed police.

Today, Mr Hussain said: "The adrenaline just kicked in and I ran after him. My wife, Shazia, was there and I wanted to get him away from her. At that point I didn't care he had a gun."

Yesterday, at the High Court in Edinburgh, Vallance, 18, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Hussain at Muirhouse Post Office, in Muirhouse Gardens, on January 28 this year by presenting an imitation firearm at him and robbing him of money.

The court heard that between March 2008 and February 2009 he was referred to the Children's Panel four times over 27 alleged offences, mostly for breaking into houses.

Vallance, who lived a few streets from the scene of the robbery, was remanded in custody and will be sentenced next month.

The culprit was seen hanging around the joint post office and convenience store around 7am before he struck.

Mr Hussain, whose family has run the business for 21 years, said: "I could see him outside and he looked dodgy from his body language. He came in and browsed the whole shop, and must have thought my wife was the only one in the shop.

"He then left and had a cigarette outside, walking up and down for maybe 20 minutes.

"Then I saw him put the balaclava on and take out a full-length rifle, which I later found out was an air gun, from inside his trousers.

"He came in and shouted 'give me the money'. Had I known it was a fake gun I would have gone for him.

"I kept looking at the barrel in my face. I was trying to determine if it was fake or not but it was metal and my wife was there, so I couldn't take the chance.

"I was trying to press the panic button but he wouldn't let me near it."He started kicking the counter and as I gave him the money, I pushed the button.

"He must have realised and said 'I'll be back and I'll blow your brains out'.

"Then the adrenaline just kicked in and I ran after him, only because my wife was there and I wanted to get him away from her."

After viewing CCTV footage, Vallance was immediately recognised and a full-scale search was launched for him with at least ten addresses being checked, the court heard.

His girlfriend's home was searched and officers found what looked like a rifle under a water tank along with a note stating: "I'm having a stand-off with the police. I'm going away for a while, speak soon XX."

Vallance was eventually found at a friend's house hiding behind a washing basket in the kitchen, the court heard.

Mr Hussain said he was glad that the culprit was caught, but that his wife had been left frightened by the incident.

He said: "Shazia was off work for two or three weeks and now I don't leave her in the shop alone any more because she is scared.

"I hope he gets a lengthy sentence. The authorities should send a message to people like Vallance that they can't get away with stuff like this."