THE victim of a hoax call that locked down a North Yorkshire town has spoken out about how it has affected him.

Razaul Karim is the owner of Paragon Pizza in Knaresborough, which saw armed police seal off the town after they were told there was an “immediate threat to members of the public” at the Paragon High Street takeaway.

The incident took place one year ago today, but Mr Karim said he was still feeling the effects of the events - which saw him and several of his employees forced out of their car at gunpoint, after a number of hoax calls were made to police.

He said his children - daughters aged 18 and 16, and sons aged 12 and 10 - had all been scared by the incident, and he said even this long after the events, "I just can't relax".

Mr Karim said: "Sometimes I get withheld numbers asking if I made bombs and that sort of thing. That's happened two or three times.

"Sometimes people don't treat me very well coming in and saying 'you're a terrorist, you make bombs'. Incidents have happened just a few weeks ago at my premises. When people make comments like that, it's very distressing."

Mr Karim said not everyone in the town thought so negatively, but he was worried that even a year on, some still linked his business with the incident.

He said: "We've got some good customers who are supporting us but some just seem to think there's something wrong and it's forever associated with those accusations.

"I never got any formal notice or letter or apology from the police department. Just one saying it would go to crown court and inviting me. I think I might go to court to see what's happening. I hope they are brought to justice.

"Everyone suffered that night in Knaresborough, not just me. I also want to thank all the local community in Knaresborough who have been supportive, I'm really grateful for that but I just want to see why they have done this and affected my family and business."

*Shamsul Islam, 23, appeared before York Crown Court and denied three charges of communicating false information with intent, namely calls to West Yorkshire Police and Crimestoppers. A trial is expected in November.