Village shop raided

	One day in April 1993 that hub of local gossip, the village shop, was itself at the centre of a sensational incident, and the ripples were to be felt by many for months to come.
Arnold Peters (Jack Woolley)

As Jack Woolley arrived at the shop to collect the takings, two young thugs with a shotgun burst in. They forced Betty Tucker to fill a bag with money, booze and cigarettes. She recognised one of them as Clive Horrobin.

Their getaway was foiled by foolhardy Kate Aldridge letting down the tyres on their van. To Debbie's dismay - and anger - the villains bundled the sisters back into the shop, closing the blinds and turning off the lights. Jack passed out, but they prevented Betty from calling an ambulance. With the pressure mounting Clive ripped the phone from the wall.

Debbie pleaded for Jack's health. Did they want a death on their conscience? Clive's accomplice Bruno started to get cold feet, and the two argued. When the villains finally made their escape Debbie used Jack's mobile to call an ambulance. He was to remain in intensive care for several days.

In the aftermath, Debbie's anger towards her sister evaporated, and shock set in. A few days later she volunteered to help in the shop, and appeared to be coping well. Betty was still shaky and Kate became withdrawn, blaming herself for worsening the raid.

As time went on, Debbie's erratic behaviour began to concern Jennifer. Her daughter was oscillating between hyperactivity and periods of apathy and, like Jack, was suffering panic attacks. Jennifer refused to let Kate attend an identity parade as she was so stressed. When Debbie left for France a week or so later Kate wouldn't come out of her room.

Clive was tried for the crime in November, but as long as four years later Brian was heard to assert that he wouldn't be responsible for his behaviour if he saw Clive again.

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