Shopkeeper 'thought he was going to die that day'

A FOREST of Dean shopkeeper who was robbed at knifepoint has spoken of how he thought he was going to die that day.

- OLIVIER VERGNAULT

Eksteen De Villiers walked into a convenience store near Lydney on Sunday, October 26 last year, his face covered and holding a large knife in his hand.

CCTV footage from the shop, released by police on Friday, January 16, shows him waving the knife about and demanding that the shopkeeper opens the till and hand over the money.

The video footage shows him lunging towards the shopkeeper, who used his walking stick in an attempt to fight De Villiers off.

Although De Villiers repeated his demand, no money was handed over. However, as he left the shop, he grabbed two bottles of spirits.

Officers from Gloucestershire Constabulary reviewed the CCTV footage and were able to identify De Villiers, after seeing him with the face covering off before he entered the shop.

The 27-year-old, of no fixed abode, was arrested and officers were able to seize the knife and the two bottles of alcohol.