Shocking moment phone shop owner, 40, is attacked by hammer-wielding robbers in broad daylight – as his young daughters write him heartwarming get-well cards and each give him £5 of their pocket money to help with his financial losses
- Muhammad Fahad, 40, was attacked at his business in St Albans, Hertfordshire
- Police are now appealing for any information that might help identify the thugs
This is the shocking moment a shop owner is attacked by hammer-wielding thugs as he tries to defend himself against a robbery.
The footage, caught on CCTV, was captured in St Albans, Hertfordshire, on March 19 last week.
It shows Muhammad Fahad, 40, trying to defend himself as two men, both armed with hammers, rush into his business Fone Citi.
The first suspect runs behind the counter where Mr Fahad is stood and grabs him.
Mr Fahad, a father to three young girls, can be seen looking shocked while grappling with the robber to fend him off.
It shows Muhammad Fahad, 40, trying to defend himself as two men, both armed with hammers, rush into his business Fone Citi
The second then man enters the shop carrying a duffle bag and starts collecting ten phones from the front display shelf.
Mr Fahad, who bought the business in January, said he ‘thought of his daughters’ during the attack.
He added: ‘When I talk about it I want to cry. I feel very emotional about it all. Those people don’t understand how difficult it is to run an independent business.
‘I took a loan out to establish it and work for a better future for my daughters. I invest everything into the business and don’t take a penny for myself.
‘When the attacker said to me “don’t push us, we will kill you” or something like that, my three daughters came to mind and I gave in. Coming to work every day is not easy.’
Mr Fahad, whose daughters are nine, seven and two years old, received minor injuries to his hand including bruising but no bones were broken.
He said his colleague is now too nervous to return to work so he has to work seven days a week.
Despite owning another shop in Wembley, London, Mr Fahad said nothing like this had ever happened to him before.
The second then man enters the shop carrying a duffle bag and starts collecting ten phones from the front display shelf
Mr Fahad, whose daughters are nine, seven and two years old, received minor injuries to his hand including bruising but no bones were broken
He added: ‘I moved to St Albans because I thought it was a safe place. I now get scared whenever people come into the shop. I’m struggling but I will continue and fight for justice.’
His two eldest daughters wrote him get-well cards and each gave him £5 from their money boxes to help with his financial losses.
In one card, Ayeza wrote: ‘To Papa, I hope you are feeling okay and I just want to make sure that you know I love you and I will always love you.
‘I hope you are feeling okay in the hospital and I hope your hand is feeling okay.’
Hertfordshire Police are now appealing for information to help identify the pair, described as men in their early twenties wearing black clothing and balaclava masks.
Detective Sergeant Mark Chipchase, from the St Albans Local Crime Unit, said: ‘We are carrying out enquiries into the incident which was a frightening ordeal for the shop staff.
‘It took place in the middle of the day and so we are asking for any witnesses or anyone with information about it to get in touch.’
His two eldest daughters wrote him get-well cards and each gave him £5 from their money boxes to help with his financial losses
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