A father has told of the harrowing moment he wrestled a weapon from the hands of a gunman during a robbery.

Hunar Mohammed was at work at TOS Supermarkets, in Shenley Road, Borehamwood, at 11.40pm on Saturday night when a man walked in and threatened him with a handgun.

The robber lifted a gun to Mr Mohamed's face and demanded he hand over cigarettes and alcohol. But instead of complying – Mr Mohamed grabbed the gun from his hands.

Clearly startled, the gunman fled and Mr Mohamed continued his shift before locking up and going home as normal.

Mr Mohamed said: “What choice did I have but to take the gun from him? I wasn’t scared. I just took the gun from him and he ran and that was that.

“I did what any normal person would do to save their lives. He didn’t leave with anything and for that I am glad.

“It’s the first time this has ever happened to me but I am from Iraq so I am used to seeing guns. That is why I left the country.”

He opened the shop as usual at 7am on Sunday and did not phone the police until 2.30pm that afternoon.

Although his wife was initially left frightened by what happened, she later congratulated him after realising the extent of what had happened.

Mr Mohamed is a devout muslim and has refused compensation from the incident as he does not believe in making money from others misfortune.

He added: “It hasn’t left me frightened to go back to work or anything - why should I let these people win?”

Luke Pearson, of Stevenage Crescent, Borehamwood, 24, has been charged with robbery and having an imitation firearm.