A shopkeeper from the Forest of Dean has bravely spoken out after a terrifying armed robbery left him fearing for his life. On Sunday, October 26 last year, Eksteen De Villiers entered a convenience store near Lydney with his face covered and wielding a large knife.
Police released CCTV footage on January 16 showing De Villiers aggressively waving the knife and demanding money from the shopkeeper. The video shows the assailant lunging forward, while the shopkeeper, armed only with a walking stick, desperately tried to defend himself. Despite De Villiers’ repeated demands, no money was handed over. As he fled, he grabbed two bottles of spirits.
Gloucestershire Constabulary quickly reviewed the footage and identified De Villiers after spotting him without his balaclava prior to the robbery. The 27-year-old, who has no fixed address, was arrested. Officers recovered the knife and stolen alcohol. Police dog handlers also found clothing matching De Villiers’ description in nearby woods.
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At Gloucester Crown Court, the shopkeeper expressed the lasting trauma of the attack in a victim impact statement. He described severe panic attacks when alone in the shop and an overwhelming fear of having his back to the door. Sleepless nights haunted by flashbacks persisted for weeks after the incident.
“I see the incident replay in my nightmares,” he said. “The knife was large and terrifyingly close to stabbing me. I truly thought I was going to die that day. When I saw the knife, images of being stabbed flashed through my mind. I had no choice but to fight him off with everything I had. I feel lucky to be alive.”
De Villiers pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and one count of possessing a bladed item in public. He was sentenced to five years in prison and given a 10-year restraining order banning him from the area.
Sgt. Nick Wheeler of the Forest of Dean Neighbourhood Policing team condemned the attack, saying it left the community feeling vulnerable. “De Villiers acted in a vicious and frightening manner,” he stated. “This sentence shows that such behaviour will not be tolerated. We hope he reflects on his actions while giving the community much-needed peace.”