A six-member gang responsible for the death of Punjabi-origin businessman Shammi Atwal in Barking, east London, was on Friday sentenced to a total of more than 71 years in jail.
Detective chief inspector Neale Baldock said after the sentencing: “This was a violent robbery that went terribly wrong. Atwal died trying to defend his livelihood and these callous men have showed no remorse for their actions.”
Atwal, 45, was in his shop when the gang attacked him, and died on the road outside, trying to apprehend one of the culprits. In the struggle, a robber pushed Atwal into the path of an oncoming lorry, which was unable to stop in time.
Atwal’s wife, Damanjeet Kaur, was on the business premises during the incident on October 14, 2013.
A statement on her behalf read: “Shammi was the most loving husband and father.”