Victor Bates and his daughters welcomed the murder conviction

Marian Bates, 64, was shot dead in front of him at their family shop on 30 September 2003. The memory is so vivid it still hurts him to think of it.

Victor Bates, who has since called for more armed police on the streets, said: "There is not a day goes by when I don't think of her."

Her death left him and his family shattered - and he finally closed the shop a few weeks ago.

On Monday, a jury found Peter Williams guilty of murdering Mrs Bates.

'Cold blooded killing'

Her husband has spoken about her shooting at public meetings, in interviews and at Stafford Crown Court during the trial of four people accused of plotting the robbery.

He told the jury that the gunman, who has never been found, came into the store wearing a motorcycle helmet, pointed a gun at him and pulled the trigger.

The pistol failed to fire, but a few moments later his wife was lying on the floor with a bullet in her chest.

"My wife moved forward quickly and stepped between the gunman and (my daughter) Xanthe and the swine shot her in cold blood.

I was dazed and went down stunned - he fractured my cheekbone and cut my face Victor Bates

"He just shot her from about three feet - and she went down heavily... like a lump of bricks."

The 66-year-old jeweller said he tried to kill the intruder with a fencing foil he had hidden in the shop - but he failed.

"My daughter jumped on his back and pinned his arms on his sides," said Mr Bates.

"I was intent on killing him but he started whirling around like a Dervish and I couldn't get a clear shot at him.

"I would have made justice very summary if I could have.

"The other guy, who was small and diminutive, whacked me on the wrist with the crowbar and then hit me in the head - and missed my eye by about an inch."

"I was dazed and went down stunned - he fractured my cheekbone and cut my face."

Marian Bates died protecting her daughter

Mr Bates says he still feels inadequate for not saving his wife's life.

"I feel a fool - when you are faced with a gun you don't think about a pre-arranged act like falling on the floor and feigning a heart attack.

"You blame yourself for not taking strict security provisions.

"I wanted to help her but I couldn't - I think I knew she was dead.

"She was a very well-known girl and very popular and hadn't got an enemy in the world - it makes it all the more frustrating that it should happen to her."

Mr Bates believes his wife knew what she was doing when she shielded her daughter from the killer.

"I am sure Marian saw those two boys of Xanthe's in her eyes when she came forward - they weren't going to be left without a mother. She would have given her life for any of her children or grandchildren, I am sure.

"I was outspoken about policing before Marian was killed and since. British policemen should now be armed. It is an anachronism in this day and age when there is so much violent crime.

"If they took up their responsibilities and were armed, then the crook wouldn't feel they could do anything they want to - they feel they have an immunity to being arrested."