A “smelly” armed robber who was foiled by a have-a-go hero in a convenience store has been jailed for more than five years.

Grandfather Kevin Delahay grappled with drug addict Matthew Waddington as he pointed an imitation firearm at shop assistant Dean Sharpe and demanded money.

Mr Delahay, a 63-year-old taxi driver, was seen on CCTV bravely trying to prise the weapon from the robber’s hand as Mr Sharpe rushed to help him.

It was the second time Waddington had raided the Co-op store in Gillingham in two days.

The first time he held up shop assistant Sam Sheard with the BB gun and fled with just £65.

A judge commended Mr Delahay and Mr Sharpe for their “extraordinary bravery” and ordered that they should each receive an award and £500 from the High Sheriff of Kent George Jessel.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Waddington, 38, was desperate to repay debts to drug dealers when he went to the store in Gillingham Road, where he lived, at 7.45pm on Saturday, October 14 this year.

Wearing a Nike tracksuit and a top covering his face and giving off a “distinctive smell”, he walked up to the cigarette kiosk, pulled the gun from his pocket and pointed it at team leader Mrs Sheard.

Prosecutor Martin Yale said she feared for her safety. She placed the cash tray on the counter and then managed to press the panic button to alert the police as Waddington made off with a handful of notes.

Two days later he returned to the shop at about 1.45pm and pointed the gun at Mr Sharpe as he was serving Mr Delahay.

The customer immediately sprang into action and grabbed Waddington’s wrist. Mr Sharpe joined the struggle and they managed to detain Waddington until the police arrived.

“There was the sound of the trigger being pulled while they were grappling and trying to get the gun away,” said Mr Yale.

“Both men were pinning him to the ground. The defendant tried to bite Mr Sharpe’s hand several times through the fabric of his mask.”

While Mr Delahay was being treated in hospital for a puncture wound, he was given a parking ticket on his car outside the Co-op.

After his arrest Waddington, who is lightly convicted, told officers: “I know it’s not an excuse but I have lost both my parents in the last year.”

Waddington, who admitted robbery, attempted robbery and two offences of possessing an imitation firearm, was jailed for five years and four months.

Told by James Ross, defending, that Waddington had blown a £50,000 inheritance on crack cocaine and then owed debts to dealers, Judge Philip Statman said: “If you play with fire...”