A dentist who tackled an armed robber has been commended for his bravery.

Richard Sowter, pictured, was walking past a Keighley town-centre shop when he saw a robbery in progress.

He rushed into the Bow Street tobacconists and smother tackled the knife-wielding assailant, holding him until police arrived.

Now Mr Sowter, 46, whose practice is in Devonshire Street, Keighley, has been commended by a crown Court judge and awarded £750 in recognition of his actions.

Last Friday, at Bradford Crown Court, Zahire Rashid, 17, also of Devonshire Street, was convicted of robbery and sentenced to three years in a young offenders institution.

This week a senior police officer praised Mr Sowter for his courage.

Detective Inspector Trevor Gasson, of Keighley CID, says: "While I would not encourage everyone to take this course of action, it was extremely brave and commendable. It shows that members of the public in Keighley are willing to assist us, and that positive results can follow."

Rashid entered Somers' tobacconists at around 5pm, on December 9, last year, and selected some items from the display. When the cashier opened the till, the assailant produced a large knife, threatened the shopkeeper and took some money. He was apprehended before he could escape from the premises.

Modest Mr Sowter - who lives in Bingley - says he does not consider himself a hero.

He told us: "Naturally, I am very pleased to be commended, but it was a spur of the moment thing and I just acted on instinct. Anyone would have done the same."

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