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Fatma McLaughlin
Knife attack on charity worker is 'despicable'
Alex Scapens4/ 6/2008
CHARITY shops raising money for the terminally ill in Stockport may be forced to close after a worker was held at knifepoint in a "despicable" attempted robbery.
Fatma McLaughlin, manageress at the St Ann’s Hospice shop, on Turves Road, Cheadle Hulme, was in the store alone when confronted by the would-be crook, who held a blade against her and demanded money from the till.
But quick-thinking Fatma refused and, pretending to know a passer-by, waved through the window. When the pedestrian stopped to look into the shop the knifeman panicked and fled empty-handed.
Although nothing was taken the charity, which looks after people with life-threatening illnesses, now needs extra volunteers to ensure no one works in its shops alone.
And if enough staff cannot be found its stores, also in Cheadle and Edgeley, will have to close down for at least part of the time.
Fatma, 30, of Cheadle, said: "He was pressing the knife hard against my side, I was really nervous - he could have stabbed me.
"When the police arrived I started crying. Any incident like this is bad but especially at a charity shop, trying to steal just £71 from the till.
"The next day I felt sick and realised how silly I’d been for refusing, if I hadn’t seen the passer-by he could have done anything to me."
The man ran to a van, but Fatma followed him to take its number plate and showed police where he had left fingerprints on the counter.
Anthony Lord, St Ann’s trading manager, said: "We rely on volunteers to help man our shops, and will have to close our outlets in future at times when we have insufficient cover.
"This will mean the charity losing money which is badly needed to help provide free care for patients."
Police have appealed for witnesses and describe the would-be robber as an unshaven white male, around 6ft tall with curly hair and an Irish or Scottish accent.
Detective Inspector Terry Sweeney said: "It is despicable that a shop trying to raise money to care for the terminally ill has been targeted."
Anyone with information can contact Stockport CID on 856 9855 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
To become a shop volunteer can call 498 3681.
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5/06/2008 at 11:06
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Discipline and the sense of right from wrong starts at home backed up by schools. The easy means of instilling it has been removed by the liberals with brains the size of large asteroids (or something like that) and we now have to reason and argue with badness.
While I'm at it, I agree; Fatma is truly beautiful. Sorry you had to endure the society we have allowed to spawn.
7/06/2008 at 00:38