Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

Forfar shopkeeper thanks community for support as knifeman who robbed him of thousands is locked up

Muhammad Shakeel has received counselling since Christopher McIntosh brandished a knife at him while he was working in his family's shop.

Muhammad Shakeel was held up at knifepoint in his shop. Image: DC Thomson/ Crown Office.
Muhammad Shakeel was held up at knifepoint in his shop. Image: DC Thomson/ Crown Office.

A Forfar shopkeeper robbed of thousands of pounds at knifepoint has revealed the trauma he has endured, now his attacker is behind bars.

Muhammad Shakeel told The Courier he has sought counselling for anxiety and depression since masked Christopher McIntosh brandished a knife at him on September 1 2021.

McIntosh’s bungled plan came undone and both he and accomplice Robert Campbell –  who scouted out the store seconds before the raid – were convicted by jurors at Forfar Sheriff Court.

Christopher McIntosh, right, robbed the BestOne store on Taranty Road in Forfar at knifepoint after Robert Campbell, left, scoped out the shop first. Image: DCT Media

Mr Shakeel, 34, has thanked the police, his family and the Forfar community for the support they have shown since he was robbed.

McIntosh caught on CCTV brandishing the knife. Image: Crown Office.

Mr Shakeel said he had been working and noticed McIntosh come in with his father – who he knew – two hours before the robbery.

Speaking after the trial, he said: “I know the grandad personally.

“He used to stay near. I recognised his voice.”

McIntosh’s father went to the ATM at the back of the shop and McIntosh himself bought two bottles of energy drink.

However, he was seen to be leaning over the counter while being served, as though calculating how far he could reach.

Muhammad Shakeel has returned to work at the BestOne convenience store on Taranty Road, Forfar.<br />Image: Kenny Smith/DC Thomson

It was around two and a half hours later the robbery took place.

Campbell entered the store first and checked the aisles before asking Mr Shakeel at the counter if they stocked lager.

“I said we don’t sell drink,” Mr Shakeel said.

Campbell left but around 30 seconds later, McIntosh entered the store clad fully in black.

Knifepoint demands

McIntosh had on a black coat with its hood up, glasses and gloves and a blue surgical mask.

He pulled a knife from his sleeve at the counter.

Speaking in his shop last week, Mr Shakeel explained he tried to tried to just pass him five pound notes but McIntosh became more demanding.

“I said right, okay, okay – I was scared, I was waiting on police coming.

“He said ‘don’t phone the police, if you do I’ll come back’.”

In total, McIntosh reportedly left the shop with almost £3,000 in cash.

The store was forensically examined by police. Image: Supplied

After the four-day trial, jurors convicted both McIntosh, 41, of Callander Drive, Forfar  and Campbell, 37, of Glamis Road, Kirriemuir, of assaulting Mr Shakeel and robbing him of a sum of money.

McIntosh’s solicitor Sarah Russo explained he has a history of drug addiction difficulties and psychiatric issues.

Billy Rennie, appearing for Campbell, said his client has health conditions including epilepsy and his partner is pregnant.

Campbell and McIntosh were both convicted. Image: DCT Media

Sheriff Krista Johnston ordered background reports and deferred sentencing until July 13.

She remanded McIntosh and continued Campbell’s bail, which includes special conditions not to enter the shop.

As McIntosh was led away in handcuffs, a member of his family was stopped by police from running towards him, crying and asking for a hug.

Life since the raid

Mr Shakeel explained his family have run the shop for more than 14 years and he has worked there the entire time.

Muhammad Shakeel was held up at knifepoint in his shop. Image: DC Thomson/ Kenny Smith.

It was the first time he had had to press the panic button in the store.

Although he has received counselling, he said he is still nervous around the shop after dark.

When he did return to work, he initially took shifts at his uncle’s store instead.

Since the raid, the store’s windows, external cameras and AC unit have been vandalised, which has left him “shaken.”

The shop’s rear windows have had to be boarded up but vandals are still trying to break them. Image: Kenny Smith/DC Thomson

Mr Shakeel thanked everyone who has helped him get back to his old self after the robbery.

He said: “That affected my life very badly but hundreds of people messaged me.

“Forfar people, they came in, they stood with me.

“My family supported me. My wife Nadia is very supportive and tells me they’ll not come back.

“The Forfar people are really lovely and really caring.

He also thanked the Muslim community and police for their assistance.

For the latest court cases across Tayside and Fife, join our Courts Facebook page.