Woodford Green shopkeeper tells of terror after rampaging masked gunman targeted his store

A father-of-two said he had no choice but to hand over the money from his shop’s till when confronted with a masked gunman.

Saiful Islam, 48, owner of Maybank Mini Market, kept his shop open to serve a last minute customer.

The man parked up his motorbike outside the newsagent in Maybank Road, Woodford Green and entered still wearing his crash helmet and gloves.

Mr Islam said: “Out of his left pocket he took out a purple bag and out of his right pocket the gun. I gave him the cash. I had to give it to him. I have a wife and kids and family.”

The masked raider was Sheldon Green, 23, of Hackney, who was in the middle of a crime spree for which he was sentenced to five years’ jail at the Old Bailey on Friday.

He was finally captured when he stole a phone with a tracking device application on it and was pursued by officers in a dramatic chase which ended with him jumping into a canal.

Det Sgt Neil Turner from the Barking Flying Squad said: “Officers surrounded him and fished him out.”