A drugged-up robber who armed himself with part of a vacuum cleaner he pretended was a gun to threaten a petrol station cashier has been jailed for five and a half years.

Jahanzeb Ismail shouted: “Give me all your money” while brandishing the black plastic attachment towards Bashir Bismillah at the Total garage in Listerhills Road, Bradford, a Court heard.

His face was disguised by a pair of black tights when he targeted the lone cashier at 6.12am on August 14.

Mr Bismillah, 59, who was hailed a hero by the judge, at first thought Ismail had a gun. He then grabbed hold of the vacuum tube and activated his panic button.

He seized a pole he kept underneath the counter as Ismail hurled items from the shop at him.

Ismail then fled, pursued by Mr Bismillah, who had to give up the chase because he could not leave the petrol station.

Ismail, 40, of Upper Kipping Close, Thornton, Bradford, admitted attempted robbery yesterday, the day he was due to stand trial at Bradford Crown Court.

Mr Bismillah earned praise from the Honorary Recorder of Bradford, Judge James Stewart QC.

“I was extremely impressed with the behaviour of Bashir Bismillah who had been working for his employer for 15 years and who stood up to this defendant in a heroic fashion,” Judge Stewart said.

He also commended a man and woman for their actions in recognising Ismail after the robbery and reporting him to the police. Judge Stewart said citizens of that quality meant there was a good chance of bringing criminals in the area to justice.

The judge said Ismail was heavily under the influence of alcohol and drugs. He backed off and ran away when Mr Bismillah had the fortitude to stand up to him.

Prosecutor, Emma Downing, said Ismail was jailed for seven years in 1999 for shooting a young woman dead. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter after firing a Beretta handgun at Nighat Afzal, 26, at a flat in Bradford. He was playing about with the semi-automatic pistol, loading and unloading it, before the fatal shooting.

Ismail’s barrister, Adam Walker, said he took nothing in the robbery attempt and did not injure Mr Bismillah. Once free from illegal drugs, he recovered his mental state very quickly.

“He carries the guilt from 1999 from killing that young lady,” Mr Walker said.

After the hearing Mr Bismillah said: “Justice has been done – I’m happy it’s come to an end. I’m pleased about what the judge has said.”

After the case, Detective Constable John Gacquin, of Bradford South CID, said: “Ismail had no qualms of giving the appearance he was armed and clearly intended to commit a robbery at this filling station.

“Was it not for the quick thinking and brave efforts of the attendant, it could have potentially been a very different outcome.

“Detectives were subsequently able to identify the suspect which has resulted in today’s significant sentence which sends out a clear message.”