West Lothian shopkeeper bravely speaks out as meat cleaver robber is jailed
A West Lothian shop owner says he and his staff have found it 'hard' after an employee was threatened by a thug brandishing a meat cleaver last month.
Abdul Manan, who owns the Premier store in Armadale, says his team are 'getting there' after a difficult few weeks in which one of his employees was pushed backwards by Greig Parker, who was holding a meat cleaver and demanding cash from the till.
Parker, who was wearing a balaclava, was eventually traced and arrested by police. He pleaded guilty to several charges this week at Livingston Sheriff Court and was jailed for four years.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live in wake of the armed robber being put behind bars, Abdul thanked the local community for their help and says people have been coming in to the shop to check on the wellbeing of staff after the terrifying incident.
He said: 'It has been hard but we're getting there. I think he maybe should have got longer for what he did but I would say the police have been really good as it has been a quick turnaround.
'They worked on it very quickly and a lot of people tried to help out after it happened, there has been a lot of care. People still come and ask, especially now it has been in the news they have been asking if we're doing okay.
'Since it happened we're being a lot more careful and have been putting more staff on just in case something similar happens again. The staff member who was on is getting there and doing ok but is obviously still a little shaken up.
'Overall I'm happy he's behind bars and happy with the way police acted quickly and the community for helping so much.'
Shortly after the attack on June 26, CCTV footage was uploaded to the store's Facebook account as they appealed for witnesses to come forward.
A terrified member of staff could be seen opening the till as Parker brandished the bladed weapon and made off with a handful of notes.
However, Parker's movements were captured on Ring doorbell footage and he was arrested by police at a friend's house.
The 47-year-old admitted carrying out the robbery and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards his former partner before leaving her home in possession of a knife on February 10.
He was also sentenced for offences including police assault and two counts of abusing retail staff.
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