'Like one big family' - community rallies round Sunderland shopkeeper after 'terrifying' suspected robbery

A Shiney Row shopkeeper has thanked his community for rallying around his family after a “terrifying” attempted robbery in which police recovered a suspected imitation firearm.

Police were called to the convenience store of Jayanthan David, 51, in Mill Terrace, in Shiney Row, earlier this week to reports of an armed robbery.

The dad-of-two told the Echo he tried not to panic during the ordeal which has since seen one man charged with attempted robbery and another arrested on suspicion of the same offence.

Mr David said: “My kids are five and 11 and you don’t like to think about if they had been in the shop at that time. My wife was scared, as she saw it all unfold on the CCTV in our other shop.”

Although he has previously been a victim of shoplifting, Jayanthan said he had never experienced anything like this in his 11 years running shops in Shiney Row.

He added: “No one got hurt and nothing was taken in the end, but I’m still stressed about it now.

"I had remained calm during the incident. It was only when I picked up what looked like a gun and felt how heavy it was that I realised it could have been real. It was then that I started to panic and shake."

Following the incident, Mr David was forced to wait outside a police cordon while police carried out their investigations.

But he was supported by his Shiney Row neighbours, who brought him tea and coffee while officers completed their work.

He added: “People in the community have been really helpful. Some of my customers stayed with me outside to make sure I was okay.

“My wife had a medical appointment and I was unable to leave the scene and so one of our customers took her to the hospital in their car. I can’t thank the community enough for how they have rallied around - it has been like one big family.”

A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: “Barry Dixon, 39, of no fixed abode, has been charged with attempted robbery following an alleged incident at a premises on Mill Terrace in the Shiney Row area of Houghton-le-Spring on Monday.

“He has been kept on remand for court.”

Another 39-year-old man has also been arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery. He has been released on police bail while inquiries continue.