Female knife thug threatens boy, 9, in Edinburgh shop raid
A FEMALE knife raider held her blade to the throat of a nine-year-old boy as she demanded cash.
The masked woman went for Manand Patel in an Edinburgh corner shop after she burst in with a male accomplice as the youngster’s father and uncle stacked shelves nearby.
Manand was threatened with a 14-inch blade and ordered to open the till – but he shouted for the adults.
The woman warned the men they would be killed if they tried to step in. But brave dad Bharat jumped the counter to protect his son.
Myself and my brother Rajan were not bothered about what happened to us – we just wanted to save Manand
The robbers then fled empty-handed from the Nairne Convenience Store in the city’s Willowbrae district.
Mr Patel, 44, said: “Myself and my brother Rajan were not bothered about what happened to us – we just wanted to save Manand.”
The pair had been re-stocking shelves in the upper level of the shop overlooking the till area while Manand played a mobile phone game when the would-be robbers burst in around 8.45pm on Wednesday.
CCTV footage shows two masked people in black arriving with the knife.
As the youngster ducks behind the counter, the film shows Mr Patel jump in front of him and the suspects fleeing on to the street outside, Lady Nairne Grove. The men gave chase but lost sight of the raiders and returned to look after Mamand, a pupil at Leith Walk Primary School.
It is the second time the busy shop has been targeted since the Patel family took over in 2009.
Three years ago one of their staff was threatened and a laptop stolen.
After the latest incident the family have decided to have two workers in the premises at all times for extra security.
Detective Constable Jonny Wright said the man and woman were both short, around 5ft tall.
He added: “This was a seriously distressing incident.
“Anyone who saw the suspects or any suspicious behaviour should contact us.”
