Queensferry,North Wales - Flintshire businessman horrifically injured during alleged robbery recovering at home

Queensferry supermarket owner Imitiaz Ul Haq can speak again after his voice box was disconnected during emergency surgery to save his life

A popular supermarket owner is recovering at home after suffering serious knife injuries which almost killed him.

Imitiaz Ul Haq, 58, received sickening gashes to his neck, wrist and head after pushing a panic button at the Costcutter store on Queensferry Road East, Queensferry , during an alleged robbery earlier this month.

There were fears he may never speak again after his voice box was disconnected for emergency surgery at the Major Trauma Centre at Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool, to repair his neck.

But today Mr Ul Haq, who has been praised by local businesses and people as a kind-hearted pillar of the community, was back at home resting and talking.

He said: “The doctors have just told me to rest now.”

Imtiaz Ul Haq with wife Afshan Ansari and daughter Daanya

Ten police cars were outside the shop following the attack on Friday, December 9, alongside paramedics.

Mr Ul Haq’s wife, Afshan Ansari, told of the family’s devastation after a young man called to say somebody had cut her husband’s throat.

“I was with my 10-year-old daughter at the time and we immediately rushed down to the scene in the car,” she said.

“There were about 10 police cars and my daughter just started running up the road to my husband, but she was held back.”

She added: “The doctors said he must have had an angel looking over him, because it really is a miracle he is still alive, he could have died.”

Imtiaz Ul Haq in an ambulance following the incident at the Costcutter store in Queensferry

His wife said the family had come over to the UK from Pakistan “to be safe” and opened up two shops, one in Queensferry.

“We came here to be safe, but now this has happened,” she said

Matthew Liam Whelan, 29, of Willow Park, Gladstone Way, Mancot, has been charged with the joint robbery of the Costcutter store and attempting to murder Mr Ul Haq .

Leslie Peter Baines, 47, of King’s Road, Connah’s Quay, faces the charge of robbing him of a till drawer to a value unknown.

They will next appear for a plea hearing at Mold Crown Court on January 6 next year.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/flintshire-businessman-horrifically-injured-during-12380984