Hero tells of moment robber pointed gun at him

Phil Klein found himself in the firing line after he tried to catch the gunman as he left the shop at about 8.30pm on Sunday.

The robber had pointed a gun at the heads of customers as he held up the Red, White and Rosé off-licence in Ditchling Road, Brighton.

Six terrified shoppers were pinned up against the wall and told to empty their pockets as the man waved a gun. The gunman took money from the till and demanded more from customers before escaping.

It was then that Mr Klein gave chase. The 41-year-old said: “It must have been terrifying for the people in the shop.

“There were no children among them but there was an elderly man and they were held hostage-style and told to put their hands against the wall and keep their back to him.

“All I could think about was that could be my wife or one of my three children and it enraged me. I didn’t want to burst in just in case he panicked and hurt someone.

“It was obvious he was more bothered about the money so I waited for him to get it and leave.”

Mr Klein walked up the road while he waited for the raider to pass him and then chased after him. The pair ran up Prince’s Street before the raider stopped and pointed the gun at Mr Klein.

The shopfitter said: “He kept saying, ‘This is none of your business’ and ‘Leave me alone’.

“He was about ten feet away from me and I dived into a nearby garden for cover. I couldn’t decide whether the gun was a replica or not but knew it wasn’t worth the risk.

“When I came back out again he had gone. Another witness told me he d escaped by car.”

No one in the off-licence was harmed during the attack but the robber is believed to have escaped with about £200 in cash.

Police were last night still searching for the gunman. A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: “The man is believed to be white, wearing a balaclava, jeans and a white T-shirt.”

The man threatened staff with a handgun before making off with cash. Any witnesses to the robbery should contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999.