Violent attack on shopkeeper
Julie Gilbert • Published 18 Nov 2011 10:00
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A shopkeeper was attacked, robbed and racially abused in a violent altercation at the weekend.
A man and two boys stormed the Day to Day store in Mountblow Road, attacked Qusim Farooq, 28, and stole alcohol.
After fighting them off Qusim was forced to shut the shutters of the store, locking himself, his colleague and two customers inside.
Qusim was left with facial injuries after being punched by the man who was aged 19 or 20.
The two boys involved in the incident were aged around 15 or 16.
The dramatic incident unfolded between 4.45pm and 5.30pm on Sunday.
Qusim said: "First of all they were giving me racist abuse because I am Pakistani.
"I asked them not to do it.
"Then they came into the shop and stole one bottle of alcohol.
"I did not touch them because I did not want any trouble.
"Then about five minutes later they came back and I was standing at the door.
"One of the them punched me on the nose straight away.
"And my nose was bleeding really badly. It took two or three hours for the bleeding to stop.
"Another boy came and kicked me in the stomach.
"So I got a basket and threw it at them for my security. I wanted to get them away from the shop.
"Then my colleague broke a bottle to get them away from the door.
"Another one also stole three or four bottles of alcohol.
"I shut the door and I put down the electric shutters. There were two customers in the shop - a lady and a boy. The lady was crying."
Police were phoned and officers say they are following a positive line of inquiry regarding the two younger people involved in the incident.
However, they are still searching for the older person.
Qusim was taken to hospital as a precaution but did not require any treatment. The incident has left him badly shaken.
He said: "I was very nervous coming back into the shop on Monday.
" I said I was going to leave the shop and not work here again, but my boss said to me I shouldn't go anywhere."
Anyone with information on the incident can contact Clydebank Police on 0141 532 3338. Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
This article appeared in Clydebank Post 16 Nov 11
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