Don't call the police or I will shoot you...

A ROBBER pointed a gun at a Tesco sales assistant and shouted 'don't call the police or I'll shoot you' during a terrifying ordeal.

- ANDREW BARDSLEY

Michael Wilde ordered the woman to empty the tills at the Tesco Express store on Quay Street, Manchester city centre, warning her he had a 'gun and 12 bullets! Wilde then fled with about £300 in cash and some cigarettes, but another shop worker had been able to press a silent alarm to alert the police.

He was caught just down the street by brave cops, after Wilde had also pointed the gun at one of them. Following the heist, it was discovered the weapon was in fact a 'toy gun! A judge paid tribute to the 'enormous courage' of police, who had 'acted to the highest standards.

Judge Alan Conrad KC told Wilde at Manchester Crown Court: "This incident could have had truly terrible consequences, and you could well have ended up being shot and killed. “Pedestrians and motorists could have been put at risk of bullets being fired near to them.”