Two armed thieves picked on the wrong man when they tried to steal from a Co-op – and were confronted by a former soldier.

Despite threats from the men, who were armed with screwdrivers and bricks, the 45-year-old refused to back down and continued to protect staff and customers.

Now Lee Hawkes, 45, from Carlton Close, Rochester, has received a bravery award from the High Sheriff of Kent, Nadra Ahmed.

It was only after receiving his honour that the modest hero disclosed he had suffered an eye injury after being struck by a missile during the incident.

Maidstone Crown Court had heard how two men had on April 5, 2020, gone into the store in Marley Way, Rochester.

Mr Hawkes was in the queue when he saw the pair who he believed "were off their faces" and he feared they were shoplifting.

After challenging them, one threw a screwdriver at him – which missed – as the other wrestled him to the ground, trading punches. The two then hurled bricks at Mr Hawkes, hitting him in the head with one.

The former Royal Engineer told police in a statement he was concerned for the female staff and other customers standing nearby.

Judge Philip Statman later nominated Mr Hawkes for the special award.

He told him: "I took the decision that if there was a case deserving an award for bravery and selflessness ..then this was it. This is a way to show our gratitude."

The High Sheriff handed over the award, telling him: "This is an absolute honour. I don't know what you were thinking at the time, if adrenaline had kicked in.

“It is a citizen's duty but you put yourself at risk as well...especially when someone has a weapon. It is phenomenal and thank you so much."

Mr Hawkes replied: "I am not the kind of person to just stand still and let someone do something like that.”

Explaining he is ex-military, he added: “I think my training kicked in a lot. I got a fractured eye socket because I was hit in the head with a brick."

The High Sheriff added that the fact he hadn't revealed the injury until now "says a lot about your character”.