Attacked shop worker 'too afraid to work'

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Thursday, July 02, 2009
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This is SouthWales

A STORE worker who fought off a drug addict who threatened her with a knife has packed in her job because she is too afraid to stay.

Another staff member at the Kumar Store in Neath has also handed in his notice for the same reason.

Store owner Radhakrishan Kumar said he has had to pay for improved security to protect staff.

He also revealed his wages bill had gone up, as he could not have people working alone, even at quiet times.

Earlier this month, 28-year-old David Newbury was jailed for three years for the terrifying incident at the Furnace Terrace store.

Shop assistant Thevika Batumalay was working alone when Newbury came in carrying a knife with a 12cm blade.

He grabbed hold of her and demanded she open the till — but Ms Batumalay screamed and shouted, despite being pushed over.

Mr Kumar has now told the Post: "It was a very frightening incident and the girl has left the job."

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18 Comments

  • Profile image for This is SouthWales

    by andy, swansea

    Tuesday, July 07 2009, 11:14AM

    “heather, i dont speak welsh, does that mean im not welsh? if you think that then maybe i will have too come into mumbles and fill your son in, cheeky monkey”

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    by Heather, Mwmbwls

    Saturday, July 04 2009, 4:43PM

    “@ sue, neath, yes, unless you speak Welsh you are not pure bred you are a mere immigrant! So, really you are a fake Welshie, a wannabe!

    You get a life sue, and go home (probably to England somewhere, although I doubt you'd have enough class to jump over to the other side of the seven bridge)!”

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    by sue, neath

    Friday, July 03 2009, 7:32PM

    “By the way Heather Mumbles what is this suppose to mean, in regards to the article relating to this story in mondays post "Carmarthen is lovely; they all speak Welsh there. Really nice people too. They are pure bred! " have we got to all speak welsh to be nice and pure bred? get a life.”

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    by Heather, Mwmbwls

    Friday, July 03 2009, 7:03PM

    “@ AJ, Uplands. You don't understand the issues, and
    I won't bother trying to explain as you "can't teach a Pig to fly", you being the Pig by the way.

    Your problem with me is a personal one isn't it, so do yourself a favour; when you see my name don't read my post. Very simple really isn't it.

    And why are you paranoid about the BNP? And WHO SAID that I voted for them. You really need to dig a little deeper, you might find a few surprises.”

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    by sue, neath

    Friday, July 03 2009, 6:20PM

    “unfortunately this shop is on the door step of a block of flats that house some, not all scum bags.”

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    by AJ, Uplands

    Friday, July 03 2009, 2:37PM

    “It amuses me that Heather thinks of the lady in question is brave, which she undoutedly is.

    Because if Heather's beloved BNP come into power (which of course they never will), the the lady, the shop owner, along with their families, will be "repatriated" - even if they happen to have been born in the UK.

    You're being extremely two-faced Heather, along with all the other 'qualities' you possess.”

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    by Dale, Swansea

    Friday, July 03 2009, 12:43AM

    “HAHAHAHAHA

    The last 2 comments are hilarious, how can Jeremy's comment not imply racism?

    let me make this simple

    1) he has a go at modern society not being able to accept that people of other races will have jobs(corner shops)

    2) points 1 would imply the writer thinks a drug addict is more likley to rob a shop run by non-british

    3) That way of thinking shows a racist attitude, why would British shop keepers be less likley to be attacked

    4) maybe his comment was a stupid comment left by a troll, maybe it was written to be racist and you've just stuck up for them

    5) feel stupid now?”

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    by Swanseajock, Swansea

    Thursday, July 02 2009, 9:56PM

    “I think you have all missed the point of Jeremy's post. I read that he was having a pop at the scum who carried out the vicious attack, not the fact that the owners were Asian. People are too quick to jump on any liberal mandwagon. Read and think before you comment.”

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    by Heather, Mwmbwls

    Thursday, July 02 2009, 4:18PM

    “Oh GOD trust the lefties to bring racism in to it! Pathetic, especially Sarah, Sandfields.

    I'm sorry to hear about this attack and hope the brave lady who fought off the attacker will find the courage she needs.

    You are brave Ms Batumalay; don't you forget that.”

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    by geoff, mumbles

    Thursday, July 02 2009, 2:50PM

    “I agree that the indian-pakistani shop keepers in swansea and surounding areas are realy hard workers a good instance is the shop/post office in westcross whatever time of day you go in there you see the same faces 12 hour shifts must be the norm..”

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