Key Takeaways
- Aisha Javid, 55, tackled a masked gunman during an attempted robbery in her Dunfermline store and has won a Pride of Scotland Bravery Award.
- Despite being threatened with a realistic imitation firearm, she fought back to protect her staff and the store’s cash.
- The local community has rallied around the business, reinforcing its central role in the area.
Aisha Javid, a postmistress and shopkeeper from Dunfermline, and her store staff have received the Pride of Scotland Bravery Award after fearlessly tackling an armed robber who stormed her Nisa Local store and post office in June 2024.
The terrifying incident unfolded at the Abbeyview branch when Robert Danskin, wearing a balaclava and wielding what appeared to be a real gun, entered the store and demanded money from cashier Cheryl Gourlay. As he jumped over the counter and grappled with Cheryl, Aisha, 55, sprang into action.
“I thought the gun was real but I wasn’t scared, I was just bloody angry,” Aisha told Asian Trader. “My Dad always said, ‘Never start a fight but always finish one’ – which is what I did. I’ve worked hard to build up this business. I’ve slogged my guts out, day in day out. I thought, ‘He’s not getting anything because every penny I’ve got in this place counts.’”
Hearing her colleague’s cries, Aisha came out from the secure ‘fortress’ cash area, where she had been counting money, and confronted the masked assailant. When Danskin pointed the gun at her and ordered her to hand over the cash, she instinctively lunged at him, trying to disarm him and pull off his mask.
“I get paid to look after other people’s money and I wasn’t going to let any of it go,” she said. “And no one threatens my staff and gets away with it.”
Her courageous actions, along with those of fellow staff member Bob Bell, who jumped over the counter to assist, helped overpower Danskin before the police arrived. Aisha had also managed to press the panic button during the struggle.
The firearm was later discovered to be an imitation, but its appearance was indistinguishable from a real weapon. Danskin was sentenced in November 2024 to seven years for attempted robbery with an imitation firearm, comprising four years and eight months in custody and a further two years and four months under supervision in the community.
In his sentencing remarks at Edinburgh High Court, Judge Lord Scott said the store should be “commended” for their bravery, noting that Danskin had created a terrifying situation while trying to repay a £1,000 drug debt.
“Those in the shop who faced you and stopped you from succeeding in this robbery had no way of knowing that the gun was not real,” said Lord Scott. “They acted despite how terrifying a situation you created.”
Despite the trauma, Aisha remains committed to her role as postmistress and the store, which she runs with her son Usman, 35. “I love my job because I love helping people,” she said. “A lot of people in our area can’t read or write, so they come to us if a form needs filling in etc.”
Abbeyview is a relatively deprived part of Scotland, but Aisha says the incident has only brought the community closer. “Since this happened, the community has really rallied around, making sure they always bring their business to us even if they could go somewhere closer.”
Aisha and her team also give back by sponsoring the local football team and other community initiatives.