A SHOPKEEPER has been left with a broken rib after more than £1,500 was taken in a robbery at his shop.

Mohammed Kashif Naveed was working at the Mini Market in Tranent when he was attacked at about 8.15pm last Thursday.

The 21-year-old, who has been store manager for just over a year, told the Courier he had been working overtime and was “through the back of the shop” when he went to help a staff member.

He spotted someone sitting on steps opposite the shop, on Tranent’s New Row, but thought they were maybe waiting for someone.

Mr Naveed said: “The next thing, somebody walked in with their face covered up.

“At first, I thought: ‘Is it someone kidding on?’

“The boy came towards me and said: ‘Where is the money, give me the money?’

“He grabbed me by my hoodie and just pushed me back onto the counter.”

A struggle broke out between the two men, with Mr Naveed trying to block the man’s route to the till.

But the thief then stamped on his foot and pushed him against the counter, where he heard his rib crack.

During the incident, Mr Naveed, who lives outwith the county, suffered a broken rib.

He added: “I didn’t think anything of it at the time of the incident but a couple of hours later, breathing was getting harder.

"I woke up with a bruise on my ribs from where I had fallen and heard a crack.”

The shop was taped off overnight by police before re-opening at about 9.30am last Friday.

Mr Naveed told the Courier he had been visited by a number of customers, who had popped in since the incident to check if he was all right.

He added: “I just want to thank everybody for their support.”

The suspect is described as white, in his 40s, around 6ft 2inches tall, of medium build, with short brown hair and dark stubble.

He was wearing black boots, dark jeans, a dark jacket, dark scarf, and dark peaked cap.

Detective Inspector Keith Mackay, of Dalkeith CID, said: “This was a very distressing incident for the staff members involved and we’re conducting numerous enquiries in the local area.

“We’d urge anyone who may have seen the suspect, or who recognises his description, to come forward as soon as possible.”

Local councillor Donald Grant encouraged people to phone the police if they had any information.

He said: “It is just horrifying that the gentleman involved received such terrible injuries.

“Fortunately, this a rare occurrence in Tranent and surrounding districts and I would appeal to anyone who knows anything to contact the police as quickly as they can.”

Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.