A NEWPORT shopkeeper scared off a would-be robber with a stick, in the second attempted armed robbery in Gwent in just two days.

Gita Amin, 48, who runs the Londis store on Chepstow Road with her husband Bhaves (CORR), was in the shop with two customers on Thursday at around 7.25pm, when a man came in, pointed a gun at her and told her to put all the money in a bag.

Mrs Amin, who has been running the store for a year, said: “I was frightened because I didn’t know if it was just him. I could only see his eyes and mouth.”

She said she bent down to where the bags are kept behind the counter and picked up the stick they keep there in case anything happens. As soon as she raised the stick, the man ran off.

Mrs Amin said she told the two customers to stay in the shop while she checked that the man had gone and then rang the police.

Mrs Amin said: “We’ve had the shop for a year and this is the first time it’s happened. I never thought it would. My husband is normally in the shop as well, but he was out getting a few bits and pieces.”

Despite the ordeal, Mrs Amin kept the shop open until the police arrived and was back at work again on Friday morning.

She said: “The police were trying to calm me down because they thought I was panicking, but I was fine after I’d spoken to them. They shut the door when they came in and wouldn’t let anyone else in.”

The man is described as in his 20s, about six foot tall, of slim build, wearing blue sport-type clothing and he spoke in a local accent.

Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them on 01633 838111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

A Gwent police spokeswoman said they were not connecting the incident with another attempted robbery at the Exchange post office in Risca on Wednesday evening.

The would-be robber in that incident was also described as in his 20s, 5ft 8ins tall.