Robbers fracture man’s skull — for 35p worth of sweets

A 30-year-old petrol station attendant from Rochdale suffered a fractured skull after armed robbers attacked him with a metal bar and made off with nothing more than chocolate bars.

The raiders struck at about 7.20pm on Friday (4 September) as three members of staff were taking a delivery at the Failsworth Filling Station on Oldham Road.

Two men armed with metal bars approached them on the forecourt and Awais Qadeer was hit over the head. He slumped to the ground unconscious.

Mr Qadeer, from Rochdale, was taken to North Manchester General Hospital for treatment to head injuries and is in a serious but stable condition.

The offenders stole confectionery from the delivery van and got into a dark Honda Accord, fleeing along Oldham Road in the direction of Oldham.

No other members of staff were injured.

Petrol station manager Nadeem Sardar said: “They hit him with a two and a half foot scaffolding pole, kicked him and then took chocolates and sweets.

“They put him in hospital for 35p.

"I saw him in hospital and he has a skull fracture. He was waiting to be seen by a neurosurgeon.

“It is a scary thing, I don’t feel safe.”

Det Insp Darren Meeks said: “We are urgently appealing for any witnesses to contact us.

“This was a horrendous attack carried out by thugs who are clearly willing to use violence to steal.

“It was totally unnecessary for them to hit the victim over the head like this, putting his life in danger.

“Our initial accounts suggest that the blow was struck without any demands being made.

“Oldham Road is always very busy and we are keen to know where the Honda went after the robbery.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161-856 8951 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555 111.