Brave gran feels sorry for attacker

The brave grandmother who armed herself with a mop and chased a masked gunman from her South Staffordshire corner shop today admitted she felt sorry for her attacker.

Fearless Murti Mall tackled baby-faced Benjamin Chambers as he waved a gun in her face during an attempted raid at the Pop-Ins Pantry shop in Penkridge.

He was locked up for six years after a jury found him guilty of attempted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit robbery.

But Mrs Mall, aged 58, told the Express & Star she hoped the punishment would have a "positive impact" on him. "He's a young man who has done something stupid and in a way, I feel sorry for him," she said.

"I hope prison is a lesson for him and he learns that he can't just try and take what he wants."

Chambers, aged 20, of Old Coach Road, Bishops Wood, near Brewood, had gone into the store late on August 27, 2010.

After walking in he casually strolled around before jumping out from behind a set of freezers and pointing the weapon at Mrs Mall. Her two-and-a-half-year-old grandson was behind the counter as she grappled with Chambers, chasing him with a mop before he turned and pointed the weapon in her direction.

Mrs Mall said she did not believe she acted bravely and was surprised at being given a £250 bravery award by Judge Mark Eades, who sentenced Chambers at Stafford Crown Court.

She said: "To be honest I just reacted really. I think he expected to push the bag in my face and that I would just fill it up with money for him. We work hard here every day and I wasn't going to let that happen."