A SHOP owner who risked his life tackling an axe wielding crook trying to rob his business has voiced his relief after the thug was jailed for six years.

Sab Dhillon, 46, of Shildon Post Office and Stores, grappled with Shaun Andrew McKerry as he threatened staff and tried to force them to give him money.

Durham Crown Court heard how McKerry brandished an axe at Andrea Brighty at the store on Redworth Road, in Shildon, at 7.55pm on Sunday, March 15.

He was tackled by Mr Dhillon who ran from the back of the shop to grab McKerry whose face was concealed by a scarf and hood.

The two men stumbled against shelves dislodging items during a brief struggle which ended with McKerry, 31, of Benbow Walk, Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, in a stranglehold.

Miss Brighty pulled down the scarf covering the would-be robber's face revealing him to the store’s CCTV.

Mr Dhillon’s wife, Sam, 40, then rushed in to hit McKerry several times with a baseball bat to help restrain him.

McKerry, who earned the name of Homing Pigeon Boy when he was juvenile offender because he always returned home following his crimes, was arrested and pleaded guilty to a charge of robbery.

He was jailed today (Friday, April 24) for six-years at Durham Crown Court.

Mr Dhillon said: “At least he’s off the streets and hopefully we are safe now. I acted on the spur of the moment to help protect my staff and family."

Judge Christopher Prince heard that Mr Dhillon’s son, Gurvir, 12, who saw the robbery had been mentally scarred by the incident.

He said that McKerry had committed the Shildon offence shortly after being released from jail for another robbery.

He said: “This was a planned offence but the one thing that you didn’t plan for was the indomitable bravery of Mr Dhillon.

“He showed conspicuous bravery. He ran up behind you and threw himself on your back to wrestle you to the ground and then he held on to restrain you until the police arrived.”

He asked that a special commendation be sent to Mr Dhillon praising him for his part in the arrest.

A second masked raider who entered with McKerry ran off when Mr Dhillon attacked the robber. A third man waiting in a getaway car also fled.

They have not been identified by the police.