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Stubbs Off-Licence, on Cheadle Old Road, Edgeley
Hero slams sentences – and thanks police
Alex Scapens6/ 2/2008
A HERO shopkeeper has told how he fought off would-be armed robbers to protect his three-week-old grandson – and blasted the jail sentences they have received.
Peter Stubbs, of Stubbs Off-Licence, on Cheadle Old Road, Edgeley, bravely chased the pair - who carried a gun and meat cleaver - out of his store and, with the help of neighbours, cornered one in a nearby garden before police arrested him.
This week, David Lee Watterson, 18, of Egerton Road, Davenport, was sentenced to five years imprisonment at Minshull Street Crown Court after being found guilty of attempted robbery.
The second man, a 25-year-old, of Shaw Heath, had previously been jailed for two and a half years after his DNA was found in a balaclava.
But these sentences do not end the ordeal for Peter and his wife, Sheila, both 58, – as they are frightened of a repeat.
And they cannot see their baby grandson, who was in the back of the shop during the raid, during lengthy opening hours because their daughter-in-law feels it’s too dangerous to visit.
Peter said: "These sentences for waving a gun and a meat cleaver in someone’s face with a baby nearby is a joke. They only have one intention and that is to do permanent damage.
"It’s not the sort of society I want to live in anymore. We should come down on these people really hard - the punishment has to fit the crime and not antiquated laws.
Sheila added: "Tougher sentences are needed as a deterrent.
"These two will be laughing at what they got. They should have been given 15 years each to make others think it’s just not worth it."
Peter saw red when the two masked men entered his shop one evening last June demanding money, while his grandson lay sleeping. It was the first time the new born had visited.
Despite facing a meat cleaver and sawn off shotgun, Peter charged for the masked men and, although his son held him back, forced them to flee.
As he chased one down the road, residents heard the commotion and joined the hunt, successfully apprehending the crook.
Peter and Sheila want to thank the neighbours and the police, who they say responded very quickly and have been very helpful since.
Peter said: "I was really wound up and didn’t want them getting into the house, who knows what would have happened then. I’d do the same again although it was a petrifying experience.
"The one positive thing is the community spirit that numerous people round here showed in helping us."
Detective Constable Katherine Moriarty, of Stockport CID, added: "I am delighted we have brought both offenders to justice.
"The shop owner decided to confront the offenders and thankfully managed to frighten them off. Although his actions seemed heroic, the outcome could have been a lot worse.
"I would urge anyone that may find themselves in a similar situation not to put themselves in any danger but to call police."
Most recent 2 of 2 user comments
I don't know if anyone reading this has ever been threatened at the end of a lethal weapon but it isn't pleasant and is very stressful. Mr Stubbs deserves our total admiration for having a go. If our once proud Nation isn't to descend further into anarchy, we need more like him. I wonder if the Police actually cautioned him against his, what they would probably term, foolhardiness? I sincerely hope not. Quote Detective Constable Katherine Moriarty, of Stockport CID. "Although his actions seemed heroic, the outcome could have been a lot worse". "I would urge anyone that may find themselves in a similar situation not to put themselves in any danger but to call police."
The Police who will be there, eventually, after the event? Life on Mars, anyone?
6/02/2008 at 16:25
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