Takeaway Owner Fights Off 'Armed Robber' With Pot Lid And Meat Cleaver

A takeaway owner in Scotland was able to fight off what he believed to be an armed robber using a pot lid and a meat cleaver.

Giving evidence in Paisley Sheriff Court, Derek Tang recounted how he was forced to adopt makeshift weapons to defend himself during a robbery at his China Town takeaway in Linwood, at about 11.15pm on 6 June last year.

Tang grabbed the cooking implements after being faced with an imitation firearm, comprised of two metal poles and a piece of wood, that was made to look like a shotgun.

Media Scotland

He said: "I heard a big bang at the door, I thought there must be something wrong outside. It was very unusual.

"I saw a guy with a big weapon, standing at the takeaway door, inside the kitchen. It looked like a gun. It had a double barrel and was wrapped round by a polybag. It seemed metallic.

"I thought, 'If anything goes wrong, it's very serious.'"

He continued: "First of all, I shoved the double barrel away and the very next moment he pulled out a knife.

"I moved backwards, about a foot away from him. I quickly grabbed my chopper, to defend myself, and a curry pot lid, to use as a shield to defend myself, for my safety.

"He wanted money, he was saying, 'Give me your money.' I felt threatened, but at that point, he only wanted money.

"My wife was nearby, in the kitchen, and staff at the other side of the takeaway.

"I thought, 'There's nothing I can do if something goes wrong, it's quite life threatening.'"

Allan Fordyce is accused of carrying out the armed robbery, but the 54-year-old has lodged a special defence of incrimination, claiming the assault and robbery was actually committed by a man named Paul McBeth, who has since passed away.

Media Scotland

He has also entered a special defence of alibi, claiming he could not have committed the crime as he was at his home in Linwood at the time. However, Tang identified him as the culprit to police officers and in court.

The court was shown a picture of McBeth, who had a yin and yang tattoo on his right hand, lying dead on the floor of his flat.

Tang said he did not notice a tattoo on the robber's hand and could 'guarantee' it was not McBeth who robbed his takeaway on the night in question.

The trial continues.

Topics: UK News, crime, Scotland

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey