THE OWNER of a Shropshire supermarket was attacked by a gang of yobs just days before his shop was destroyed in an arson attack, a leading detective revealed today.

It comes as council chiefs revealed that the huge blaze at the Spar shop in Malinslee caused £500,000 of damage to the building.

The remaining shell will be demolished.

Detectives said the shop owner was beaten by a group of youths at his shop in Brunel Road on May 20.

The youths were playing football outside his shop before the attack, which then saw them rampage through the store, officers said. Police said the businessman, who travels from Wolverhampton to run the shop, was knocked to the ground during the dispute but escaped serious injury.

The violence then escalated over the weekend.

Brawls

Police were called to the area again on May 21 where a number of brawls took place around the shop and other areas of the estate.

The problems continued on Saturday when police arrested four people in connection with the disorder.

The shop building, owned by Telford & Wrekin Council, was then destroyed after a fire ripped through it at 12.30am on Monday.

Police said the back doors were smashed down and it is believed an accelerant was used to start the blaze.

Detective Inspector Jon Elcock, senior investigating officer, said: “There was a dispute between the shop keeper and youths who were playing football outside the front of the shop on the Thursday before the fire.”

Mr Elcock said he was linking the incidents. “We have had a good response from members of the public who are eager to help but somebody may hold vital information about who started the fire and we need them to come forward,” he added.

Andrew Eade, Telford & Wrekin Council leader said: “As a result of this fire, the whole of what was the supermarket in Malinslee will have to be demolished.” Anybody with any information should contact Telford police on 0300 333 3000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

By Crime Correspondent Kirsty Smallman