London, Dec 11 (IANS): An Indian-origin convenience store owner in the British city of Bradford has been praised by a judge for his courage to fight back robbers.

Bhavin Patel, 30, whose family runs the P N’k convenience store on Huddersfield Road, Wyke, in the city was left with a permanently injured right hand in the struggle with the robbers June 15, the Telegraph and Argus reported Wednesday.

Simpson, 33, of Falkland Road, and Thompson, 26, of York House pleaded guilty to robbery in court Tuesday and were sentenced to five years and nine months in jail.

CCTV cameras in the shop captured the incident and the footage was played out in the court.

Thompson also admitted to criminal damage after hurling bottles of stolen spirits at off-duty police officer Stephen Hepworth’s car as the latter pursued him.

Hepworth, whose car was damaged slightly, was publicly commended by Judge Jonathan Durham Hall.

The judge also praised Patel’s courage and said: “You offer a very vital service to the community.”