A Kirkcaldy shopkeeper has described how she shook with fear as she tailed an armed robber who had held her at knifepoint the previous day.
Ruqya Bano, whose actions led to detectives tracing her assailant Alan Ford, spoke out about her ordeal after learning that he had been jailed for 40 months at the High Court in Edinburgh.
Ford (37), described as a prisoner at Edinburgh’s Saughton jail, was sentenced on Wednesday, having admitted assaulting Mrs Bano, presenting a knife at her, demanding money and robbing her of £160.
Mrs Bano told The Courier she was unable to sleep after the incident and was faced with Ford again the next day when he returned to buy an ice lolly while she was alone in the shop.
Despite having been left terrified by the robbery, the 32-year-old followed Ford out and tailed him in her car. The brave move earned her praise from High Court judge Lady Smith.
“I was so frightened for the next couple of days,” said Mrs Bano. “All night I didn’t sleep.
“My husband said I wasn’t staying in the shop, but the next day I was here by myself again. I was shaking while I was driving and when I saw the police I beeped at them.”
Mrs Bano welcomed the sentence and hailed the bravery of four of her regular customers, who witnessed the robbery and followed Ford through the streets.
“I’m pleased. Hopefully this will make other people listen — that’s the main thing.”
She added, “They did really well, the four girls. They’re regular customers and they phoned the police and followed him. They were brave.”
During the hearing, Lady Smith said, “She did well to take the action she took the following day.”
The judge told Ford that he would have faced a five-year prison sentence for the robbery, but it would be reduced following his guilty plea.
Ford, who was previously jailed for five years for three robberies in 1998, had tried to work following his release in 2001 but lost three jobs through no fault of his own, the court heard.
But Lady Smith told him that becoming unemployed was “no excuse” for allowing his life to descend into chaos.
The court was told that Ford carried out the armed robbery at takeaway Punjab Spice in St Clair Street, Kirkcaldy, on June 21 this year after a girlfriend threw him out and he went on a drink and drugs binge.
Defence counsel Drew McKenzie said, “He has no recollection of events later in the evening. The failure to recollect is perhaps validated by the fact that he did go back to the shop.”
Advocate Depute Pino di Emidio said Mrs Bano was working at the takeaway, which has an attached store, when Ford came in, jumped over the counter and held out a knife. He shouted at her to open the till and warned her, “Don’t come near me.”
The prosecutor said the employee was terrified and started to cry. Ford opened the till and took the cash before walking out.
Four young women customers who were outside in a car witnessed the robbery and followed him until he was lost to sight.
An initial investigation by police drew a blank, said the advocate depute. But the following day Mrs Bano was working in the adjacent shop when Ford walked in and bought the ice lolly.
Mr di Emidio said, “She immediately recognised him … and as soon as he left the shop she contacted the police. She then got into her car and followed the accused on to East March Street where CID officers arrived and detained him.”
Ford was found to have £60 on him but, interviewed with his solicitor present, denied responsibility for the robbery.
Mr McKenzie said Ford was not able to find work this year and “drink and drugs overtook his life.”
Lady Smith told Ford he had committed a very serious offence and the incident must have been “terrifying.”
But she said Ford deserved credit for staying out of trouble for so long and for pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity.