Cricketer used bat to thwart raid

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A teenage cricketer who used his bat to tackle a would-be robber was praised by a judge at Swansea Crown court.

Muz Ahmad was alone in his family's shop in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, when masked robber Gary Evans, 27, came in with a kitchen knife.

Mr Ahmad, 19, pulled out his cricket bat from under the counter and Evans, also of Llanelli, ran off.

Evans was jailed for two and a half years after admitting attempted robbery and possessing an offensive weapon.

He left empty handed from the Megasave store near his home.

I had my cricket bat behind the counter - I got that out and went to hit him Muz Ahmad

Judge Peter Heywood told Evans: "Only the bravery, fortitude and courage of the shopkeeper thwarted you in stealing his day's takings."

Prosecutor Kevin Jones said: "He pointed the knife at Mr Ahmad and shouted 'open the till, give me the money or I'll stab you'.

"A cricket bat happened to be in the family-run shop and Mr Ahmad grabbed it and raised it above his head.

"This caused Evans to move backwards and fall against a display."

CCTV of the incident was shown to the court.

Mr Ahmad, who plays for his local cricket team, said: "I had my cricket bat behind the counter - I got that out and went to hit him.

"I stopped, and he stumbled backwards and legged it.

"This is a family business and we work hard. Why should someone walk in and demand our money?

"I have too much dignity and pride to let that happen."