Help catch the men who brutally attacked this Washington shopkeeper

Detectives today renewed an appeal for help to catch those responsible for a sickening assault on a Washington shopkeeper - five years on from the attack.
Photo issued by Northumbria Police of David Basrai, and the terrible injuries inflicted on the shopkeeper when he fought off two would-be robbers.Photo issued by Northumbria Police of David Basrai, and the terrible injuries inflicted on the shopkeeper when he fought off two would-be robbers.
Photo issued by Northumbria Police of David Basrai, and the terrible injuries inflicted on the shopkeeper when he fought off two would-be robbers.

On the evening of Children in Need in 2011 - exactly five years ago today - David Basrai was seriously injured after being attacked by two men who tried to rob Oxclose Convenience Store in Oxclose Village Centre.

He was taken to hospital where he spent a considerable amount of time recovering from his injuries.

Oxclose Convenience Store, Oxclose Village Centre, Washington, where owner David Basrai was badly beaten during a robbery.Oxclose Convenience Store, Oxclose Village Centre, Washington, where owner David Basrai was badly beaten during a robbery.
Oxclose Convenience Store, Oxclose Village Centre, Washington, where owner David Basrai was badly beaten during a robbery.
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The attempted robbery happened between 8.20pm and 8.30pm on Friday, November 18, 2011, as Mr Basrai was closing the store.

No-one has been arrested for the attack.

In a statement Mr Basrai and his family said: “We have never been able to forget what happened and the whole family has been left scarred.

“Our life has been completely changed, we had to get rid of the shop and have to live with the fact that no-one has been caught.

Oxclose Convenience Store, Oxclose Village Centre, Washington, where owner David Basrai was badly beaten during a robbery.Oxclose Convenience Store, Oxclose Village Centre, Washington, where owner David Basrai was badly beaten during a robbery.
Oxclose Convenience Store, Oxclose Village Centre, Washington, where owner David Basrai was badly beaten during a robbery.

“It is exactly five years to the day and we’re hopeful someone may remember seeing something, or maybe they have information but have never passed it to police.

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“We would ask they please do, even if they want to give the information anonymously.”

Chief inspector Jerry Pearson said: “It is exactly five years to the day that Mr Basrai was brutally attacked by two men who left him for dead.

“His bravery meant he was able to make his way home to get help and after a long battle survive the horrific injuries he suffered.

“But, while Mr Basrai survived his physical injuries, he and his family have been left mentally scarred by the events that happened that night.

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“People will know who did this and I would ask those people to think about how they would feel if this was their husband, dad, brother or son - you would want to see those responsible arrested and put before the courts.”