Jailed: Wednesbury bank robber tackled by have-a-go-hero - who is a martial arts expert

Om Bhatia tackled drug addict Brian Maughan to the floor, forcing the weapon from his hand as others frantically looked on during the terrifying robbery.

The martial arts expert, who runs Walsall DIY in West Bromwich Street, is set to receive £200 for taking on the crook at Wednesbury's Lloyds Bank.

Sitting at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday, Judge Paul Farrer QC praised the father-of-four for valiantly stepping in during the ordeal.

He added: "Om Bhatia plainly acted in an extremely courageous way and in doing so, placed himself in considerable personal risk. He deserves recognition for that."

Maughan was locked up for six years for robbing the Walsall Street branch as well as Ladbrokes at The Arcadian, Birmingham.

The court heard the robber strolled into the bank, donning a grey hooded jacket, before threatening branch manager Elaine Grimley while brandishing the claw hammer.

The 26-year-old forced her to hand over £300 before demanding more cash from the petrified woman on April 27.

Mr Bhatia, who was standing at the counter, then bravely jumped in and wrestled the weapon away from the unsuspecting criminal before onlookers tripped Maughan up.

Customers then pounced on Maughan as he tumbled to the ground, managing to hold him down until police arrived, prosecutor Mr Richard Franck said.

Ms Grimley revealed the robbery had left staff at the branch 'shocked'.

In a statement read to the court, she said: "At the time of this incident, I feared for my life. When he threatened me with the hammer, I also feared for the safety of my staff and customers."

Mr Bhatia, who has been practising martial arts for the past four decades, was hailed a hero when he was welcomed back into the branch the following day.

Maughan, who had committed 109 offences, also terrified a Ladbrokes employee, ambushing them while they were cashing-up on December 27 last year.

The knife-wielding robber hurled abuse at the staff member, demanding cash and threatening to ‘slice’ him.

Maughan, of no fixed abode, managed to flee the betting shop with £1,000, which has never been recovered, but was not arrested until January 6.

He was later released on bail, robbing the Wednesbury bank four months later, the court was told.

Defence barrister Miss Sharonjit Bahia said Maughan was remorseful and hoped to write letters of apology to his victims.

The criminal, who admitted two counts of robbery, has tried to turn his life around while remanded in custody, his barrister said.

Miss Bahia added: “Over the last six years, both his drug addiction and his alcohol addiction have completely got out of control.

“He never thought he would be before the court for such offences. This is really going to be the longest sentence this defendant will ever serve."