A shopkeeper confronted by an armed robber scared him off with a stick – then took his photo for police.
CCTV shows Vijay Sivan, 45, working when Jason Williams, 52, entered wearing a motorcycle helmet – and brandishing a knife and hammer.
He handed over a bag demanding cash – but brave Vijay then grabbed a stick from behind the counter.
Vijay bundled him out of the shop while calling police – and even took his picture to show officers.
Williams, 52, pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and one count of possession of a bladed article at Leicester Crown Court on October 19.
Vijay, of King Richards News in Leicester, said: “It was scary because he was wearing a helmet and had his face covered.
“He asked for all the money out of the till.
”I followed him when he left the shop, he parked the motorbike on the corner and covered the number plate with a black plastic bag.
“I used the wooden stick to move the bag and take a picture, so the police were very quick.”
He told Better Retailing magazine: “It is the first time a robbery has happened to me and I was a little bit scared, but everything has returned to normal.
“My wife is afraid to work in the shop though, so it’s just me running it now. I can’t afford to pay for any extra security measures.”
Vijay says he has always kept the wooden stick behind the counter for safety, but hasn’t had to use it until now.
Williams is due to be sentenced on November 5.
