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Terror raids staff live in fear
Jan 22 2005
Staff at a car firm are afraid for their lives after two armed robberies in three days.
Masked gunmen burst into Intersport Motors, in Oldbury, and pointed a pistol at the head of an employee.
In a second terrifying incident boss Kevin Clarke was pistol-whipped before being shot in the hand as he struggled with raiders at the premises in Dudley Road East.
They tore a gold Rolex off his wrist and left him bleeding badly.
Mr Clarke is now forking out thousands of pounds for CCTV cameras and security lighting to protect him and his staff.
"In the first attack my colleague David Law was alone in the office when two masked men with guns burst in and demanded money," he said.
"They pointed a gun under his chin, but we don't keep cash on the premises. In the end all they got away with was the keys to cars and our recovery truck.
"David was unhurt, but badly shaken. Then, just days later, I was targeted."
Mr Clarke, who lives in Kidderminster with his wife and daughter, was in the office when two masked and armed men burst in, asking where the money was kept.
"One of the men smashed me over the head with the butt of his gun, leaving me bleeding heavily, but I wasn't going to just roll over and let them have what they wanted," said the 44-year-old.
"I struggled with them both and as we wrestled a gun went off and I was shot in the hand.
"The men escaped, and I jumped into a car and gave chase, but I lost them," added Mr Clarke, who had to have stitches in his head and hand.
Mr Clarke, a successful saloon car racer, buys damaged cars for repair and re-sale.
"Intersport Motors is a successful business. We have been here for 20 years and have never had any attacks like this," he said.
"It's a terrifying experience when someone points a gun at you and we are worried what might happen if these men return."
Smethwick police have appealed for information on the raids at 4.50pm last Saturday and 5.45pm on Tuesday.
