Express & Star

Star comment: How can victims recover?

The unprovoked knife attack on chip shop manager Narinder Sidhu is truly horrific.

Published

Not only did Mr Sidhu stare death in the face, his 14-year-old daughter watched on as Leon McTaggart sunk a blade into her father six times.

Nobody can start to imagine the devastating and traumatic consequences these barbarous moments will have on both their lives.

McTaggart launched the frenzy over Mr Sidhu doing nothing more than forgetting his customer's previous order.

Shopkeepers must be allowed to go about their livelihoods without fear or intimidation.

Worryingly, these irrational assaults appear to be on the rise after minor disputes, arguments, or, as in this case, nothing meaningful at all.

We may never know what caused McTaggart to flip in the way he did, but it is incumbent on members of the judiciary to send out a strong warning that this behaviour will not be tolerated.

The 14-year jail term handed to McTaggart by Judge John Warner is welcome, but this has to be the starting point for crimes of this nature.

Many shops already have CCTV and alarm warning systems installed – but we must not have a situation where they feel they have to go further to protect themselves.

After such a shocking and brutal stabbing, it is impossible to fathom how Mr Sidhu and his daughter even attempt a return to normality.

By his own admission, Mr Sidhu now suffers anxiety,

He said: "My injuries have affected me beyond the physical wounds. I suffer sleepless nights and am unable to drive or work and constantly struggle to be comfortable as sitting and lying down are all painful to me. It is a rarity to have true rest."

Those are the words of a man who has been broken and had his life shattered by the mindless acts of a career criminal.

McTaggart showed no remorse or compassion in court.

He offered no mitigation or explanation, denying he was the perpetrator despite clearly being captured on CCTV.

The crime is compounded when you factor in the fact he was on bail for assault.

He is now deservingly starting life behind bars.

Only by making scars of society like McTaggart feel the full force of the law will a no nonsense message trickle down to those in the criminal fraternity who look to exploit honest, decent, hard-working men and women like Mr Sidhu.

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