Police chief hails tremendous courage of Stafford shopkeeper in shotgun ordeal
A police chief has praised a shopkeeper who fought off a shotgun-wielding teenager - after the attacker was spared jail.
Jack Phillips pointed the weapon at Ranvir Bassi's face as her seven-year-old daughter clung to her skirt.
But 35-year-old Mrs Bassi refused to hand over money, pushed the gun away and chased the masked raider to the door of her shop in Rickerscote Road, Stafford.
He was 17 at the time of the crime, which was caught on CCTV.
Chief Inspector Jane Hewett, of Staffordshire Police said: "I would like to commend Mrs Bassi on her bravery in confronting Jack Phillips in November last year.
"She showed tremendous courage when confronted with a masked robber armed with sawn off shot gun. Her ordeal was amplified by the presence of her seven year-old daughter in the shop."
"The community rallied together and responded positively to local press appeals. Both the shotgun and the offender's clothing were located hidden in gardens and undergrowth nearby. Without local community assistance, key evidence may have been lost. "
She added: "This case highlights that the local community and Staffordshire police will not tolerate the use of gun crime in any way, and will work together to ensure anyone who considers using one is arrested and convicted."
See also: Gun-toting thug not too young to have committed the crime
Phillips, now aged 18, and formerly of Stafford but now living in Middlesbrough, admitted offences of attempted robbery, possessing a firearm with intent to commit robbery and possessing a prohibited weapon. He was given two years detention, suspended for two years, ordered to carry out 240 hours unpaid community work and given a six-month curfew.
