A HARPENDEN takeaway owner has told the Review of his horror at being robbed at gun-point, after the teenager getaway driver was sentenced to prison.

Monir Khan, owner of the New Taj Mahal restaurant in Station Road, breathed a sigh of relief yesterday after hearing Adil Mumtaj, 18, the getaway driver in the robbery, had been sentenced to three years and three months, on Tuesday.

Mumtaz, of Limbury Road, Luton, pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of an imitation firearm, but Mr Khan says he was not alone on the night of January 4, this year.

Father-of-five Mr Khan, who lives in Barnet, was robbed of some £4,000 in takings while a gun was held to his head in a car parn next to the restaraunt.

He told the Review: "I got to the car park about 7.30pm.

“Suddenly somebody came to the right side of the car and started banging on the window saying 'get out get out'.

“It was so unexpected. I saw he had a mask on and gloves. Then another person came from behind.

“The door was unlocked, so he pulled the door open and tried to get the key from the ignition, but it was stuck. He carried on shouting and then said 'Get out or else I'll shoot you'.

“I saw the gun coming towards my head. Then he said 'Give me the bag.'

"He didn't know where the bag was but somehow knew I had it in the car.

"At that point I was really scared. He pushed the gun to my head and asked me again for the bag. I didn't say anything, I just pointed it to it, and he leaned over into the car and took it.”

Mr Khan recalls being dragged out of his car and hit in the head with the gun, causing serious bleed ing which needed hospital treatment.

He added: “I was really terrified. Anyone who puts a gun to your head is just out of this world – especially in Harpenden, you just never expect it to happen.

“I have owned this place for more than 30 years, it is everything to me. I thought I was safe.

“I was scared and they were panicking and at one point I thought he was going to shoot me.

“Every time I come back here the memories come flooding back.

“My wife tells me not to go into work, to leave the restaurant, but this is my life. I have a family to provide for.

“I am forcing myself to work, to carry on with my life.”

The 50-year-old praised the police for their work in catching Mumtaz, but is disappointed the other robber is still at large.