Shopkeeper on Church Road, Basildon, attacked with bottle

Jagdish Gokani, the owner of the Church Road Supermarket in Vange, was attacked at Saturday lunchtime by a thug who demanded he handed over cash from the till.

A police cordon was in place throughout Saturday afternoon and Sunday, with his customers becoming increasingly concerned.

The 67-year-old was rushed to hospital and needed stitches to the wound on his forehead.

Injuries

Mr Gokani explained the attack was over in a matter of seconds.

He said: “I know him, he’s been in here before. He’d come into the shop and said I owed him money.

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“Before I had the chance to say anything he’d come behind the till, picked up a bottle of wine, and smashed it on my head.

“I didn’t feel any pain at that point, but there was blood everywhere.

“It wouldn’t stop bleeding.

“The police came straight away and came with me to the hospital.”

Mr Gokni has owned the shop for more than 15 years, and is a pillar of the community.

Police officers stood guard outside the shop throughout Sunday.

The shopkeeper added: “I’m back at the shop now, and getting better.

“I’m lucky that my wife can be behind the counter, and I can rest out the back.

“Afterwards he just ran out laughing. We’ve had a similar attack here years ago but nothing is done.

“My lovely customers were really concerned when I wasn’t there. I came out of hospital late on Saturday night.”

The shop has recently had trouble with shoplifters.

Worried shoppers commented how Mr Gokni is a “diamond” and “shows so much compassion to his customers.”

Another said: “Jack is such a good man. I think once he’s back in the shop everyone who cares for him should all go to show their love, just to show him that we do care.”

A spokesman from Essex Police, said: "A man has been arrested following reports of an assault in Basildon.

"It was reported a man in his 60s was left with head injuries at an address in Church Road at 11.55am on Saturday.

"A 44 year-old man from Basildon has been arrested on suspicion of GBH with intent and is currently in custody.

"If you have any information you can submit a report online at https://www.essex.police.uk or use the 'Live Chat' button to speak to an online operator between 7am-11pm.

"Please quote the crime reference number 42/240332/21.

"You can also call us on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."