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Arena Magazine Issue 04 |
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Young thugs attack shopworker
Safeway supervisor Paul Russell was beaten up by a gang of youths as he took a cigarette break outside his store.
The incident happened in February 2001 at the Whitby store in North Yorkshire.
"It was 8.20 in the evening," recalled Paul. "I went outside with the duty manager for a break and a cigarette. A gang of youths came over and started shouting abuse. We tried to ignore it, but then suddenly one of them turned round and ran at us. He smacked me in the face and then his mate came running over and joined in. After a few minutes they ran away.
"I was badly shaken up," said Paul, "I had cuts and bruises to my face, and my finger was injured." By the time the police arrived the youths had fled. The store was covered by CCTV cameras, but they failed to record the incident.
Usdaw took up his case and he was awarded £1,250 by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.
"I've been a union member for over fourteen years," said Paul, 34. "This is the first time I've asked for help. I didn't even know I could put a claim in until my union rep informed me."
Paul is very supportive of the Freedom From Fear campaign, he said: "This campaign alone has already made a big impact in highlighting the everyday problems that retail workers have to deal with. I'm certainly very grateful for the help I received. I always look over my shoulder now to ensure that a similar attack won't happen again."
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