An Inverness shopkeeper has described the terrifying moment he was threatened at knife point during a botched robbery bid.
Imran Rafique, owner of Barney’s Newsagent in Castle Street, was working in the store at night when a hooded figure appeared and demanded money from the till.
Mr Rafique said he was threatened with a three-inch blade as would-be the robber threw a bag at him to fill up.
“He tried to stab me three times over the counter,” he said.
“He stared right into my face. I was in complete shock, but I just tried to speak to him calmly.”
Mr Rafique said his colleague, who had been working in a back room, came to help when he heard shouting.
“He rushed out the shop to call for help, and the man went after him,” he said.
“But the man kept on coming back. The whole ordeal lasted just two minutes, but it was a very long two minutes.
“Eventually, he just ran off.”
Police are now hunting for the man and Mr Rafique said he had been replaying CCTV footage of the incident to try to work out if he recognised who attacked him.
“Thankfully he did not get away with anything and thankfully no one was hurt,” said Mr Rafique.
“I’ve run the shop for six years and have never had anything like this happen. It’s the last thing I expected.”
Last night, a police spokesman appealed for anyone with information about Saturday’s attempted robbery to come forward, and issued a description of a man they want to question.
“We are investigating an incident which happened about 8.20pm on Saturday, August 16, at Barney’s Newsagent, Castle Street, Inverness,” he said.
“A man between 20-30 years-of-age, 5ft 10in, slim built, with short ginger, or light brown, hair entered the shop and threatened staff and demanded money from them.
“He was wearing a black hooded jacket with a white logo on the left chest area, blue denims and white trainers.
“We are appealing for witnesses or any persons who may know the identity of this person to contact us on 101.”