A crown court judge has taken the "rare" step of honouring a police officer who disarmed a gunman during an off licence robbery.

PC Chris Shaw, 34, was commended on Wednesday in Manchester, after he discovered the robbery while on routine patrol alone.

Although he had a handgun pointed at him, Mr Shaw grabbed the weapon and held on to one of the two raiders before back-up arrived.

His actions, in February this year, led to two men being jailed for seven years, after carrying out 14 similar raids during a four-month period.

It all went well but it could just as easily have gone horribly wrong

PC Chris Shaw

Judge Barry Woodward, who watched a video of the foiled raid, shook PC Shaw's hand at a special ceremony at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester.

He said: "There are only rare occasions when the courts believe it is appropriate to call in a police officer or member of the public to identify in particular the extent to which their duties to the public have been exercised.

"This court commends PC Shaw for his considerable bravery in the face of a gun pointed at him and with only his baton for protection."

'Last day'

Judge Woodward earlier jailed robbers Joseph Mangan, 30, and accomplice 29-year-old Robert Dunne, both from Oldham, after the raids, including the one at Victoria Wine on Stockport Road, Marple, which PC Shaw foiled.

Recalling the raid PC Shaw said: "When I walked in Margaret, the store manager, was hysterical. I could see that one of them had a gun, half-cocked, and the other was holding a screw-driver.

"It all went well but it could just as easily have gone horribly wrong. I remember thinking this could be my last day."

PC Shaw is now due to receive a commendation from Greater Manchester Police's newly appointed Chief Constable, Mike Todd.