Axe-wielding raider tackled to the ground and held until police arrive. Image: Met Police

An axe-wielding robber has been jailed for four years after being wrestled to the ground by his victims while trying to rob a Greenwich convenience store.

28 year old Errol Woodger from Mottisfont Road, Greenwich pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.

He received a sentence of imprisonment at Woolwich Crown Court on the 26th February.

Errol Woodger jailed for 4 years at Woolwich Court for trying to rob a store in Greenwich with an axe. Image: Met Police custody photograph

He struck at twenty minutes past ten on the evening of 13th of October last year charging into the St Nicholas convenience store in Abbey Wood Road, Greenwich wearing a balaclava and holding an axe.

He knocked down one of the members of staff behind the counter by kicking him in the stomach and causing him to fall to the ground.

Woodger struck the cash register with the axe a number of times when trying to open it and continued to try more threats and assaults on the shop staff.

But they decided to fight back.

They wrestled him to the ground with ‘a citizen’s arrest’ until the police arrived.

They used reasonable force to restrain him.

Both victims were in their late 30s and have been treated for minor injuries.

With their consent, the police have released the CCTV of what happened so that the general public can appreciate their courage and bravery.

DC Laura Hills from Greenwich Police’s CID said:

This was a vicious attempt to rob the store and I would like to commend the victims for their extreme bravery in tackling and apprehending a man armed with an axe until police arrived. Greenwich will be a safer place with Woodger behind bars.