A distressed mother still has airgun pellets embedded in her neck and cannot eat solid food after being shot by a robber at a convenience store last week.

The offender repeatedly fired an airgun while robbing Vetry’s in East Street, Epsom, on Thursday at about 8.45pm.

Raj, who was at their home above the store at the time of the robbery, said his wife Jenny, who is in her thirties, called upstairs for help immediately after the ordeal.

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Raj said: "She got two pellets in her neck. It was swelling. She was very shaken and upset. They took her to hospital straight away and she was discharged on Friday evening, but the pellets are still inside.

"She's got terrible pain. She can’t drink or eat at the moment. She wakes up at night."

Speaking this afternoon, Raj said he was taking Jenny back to A&E because the pellets are moving further down inside her neck.

They could not get an immediate appointment and did not want to wait until the pellets are taken out next week or the week after.

On the night of the robbery, police came to the scene and managed to find the discarded till drawer nearby. A teenager has been arrested.

Raj said the till drawer had not been forced open and the money remained inside, but he added: "I don’t care about the money at the moment."

He said his neighbours and customers had come to offer support. He said: "I’m thankful to them. They are very helpful.

"It’s a good place. I have been living here for seven or eight years and nothing has ever happened before. It’s a bit strange.

"I’m so upset because I have got two kids who are very young."

Sid Parr, who owns Epsom Lodge B&B across the street, said he felt very sorry for the "nice" young family.

He said: "Although it’s an airgun, it’s still an armed robbery. If it had hit her eye it could have gone straight through to her brain.

"She’s still got pellets in her neck. I’m not so much upset as angry. They are as good as gold."

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* A 17-year-old boy was arrested last week in connection with the attack and an update on his situation is expected soon from police.

Detective Inspector Paul Gordon, said: "This was a terrifying ordeal for the victims it and no doubt the experience will stay with them for some time.

"Officers will fully support those caught up in this horrendous crime and will do all they can to bring the person responsible to justice.

"I urge anyone who has information on this incident to contact officers as a matter of urgency, anything you disclose will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

"This incident is likely to frighten other shop owners and businesses in the area and I would urge those concerned about safety and security in their stores to visit the Surrey Police website for advice or contact your local safer neighbourhood team, where specialist officers will be able to assist."

Anyone with information should call Surrey Police on 101, quoting reference 45140009372, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.