'They were going to kill me': Hero Leeds sandwich shop owner attacked by hammer-wielding gang attempting to steal van

Graham Sharkey, who has owned Megabites sandwich shop in Pudsey for 16 years, arrived back from the cash and carry to the shop on Valley Road shortly before 11am on Tuesday (December 3) to find the gang of three men attempting to steal a van outside the premises.

Graham, 61, shouted from his car at the gang before one of them pursued him, smashing a hammer through his windscreen - leaving glass shattered into the car.

He said the man shouted 'I am going to kill you' as he approached the vehicle while Graham reversed away.

However, despite the damage to his vehicle, Graham disturbed the gang sufficiently for them to flee the scene without the van owned by an adjoining business.

He has described the horrific ordeal to the Yorkshire Evening Post - including how he feared for his life.

Graham said: "I had just got back from the cash and carry.

"I saw a man under the van and shouted 'what do you think you are doing?'

"They shouted back telling me they were just finishing off a job but I knew something was wrong.

"When I got closer, one of the men came over carrying tools and a hammer and put my windscreen through.

"I was terrified."

Graham said the whole attack took place within two minutes.

He added: "He just kept shouting 'get back, get back'.

"If I had not had locked my car I am sure he would have got me with the hammer."

The thieves fled the scene after being disturbed by Graham - despite smashing both his windscreen and a side window of the White Ford van.

Graham described the assailants as white small males.

West Yorkshire Police are now investigating the incident.