This is the moment a brave petrol station cashier fought off a hooded female robber who attacked him with a kitchen knife.

Heroic Michael Whybrow's terrifying 30-minute ordeal was caught on CCTV at the Murco garage in Brookfield Road, South Ashford, with a judge likening it to a famous horror film.

The 59-year-old's hand was badly slashed in the attack, but he refused to hand over the cash – despite his assailant repeatedly trying to stab him with the eight-inch knife.

Speaking after his attacker Anna Chambers, 29, was jailed for six years, Mr Whybrow said: "She tried to jab me with the knife.

"I pressed the panic button under the desk and the button to lock both doors. I also called 999 on the phone and left it off the hook – hoping that the police would hear what was going on.

"Some people asked why didn't I just hit her – but I was bought up not to hit a woman."

Mr Whybrow will now receive a High Sheriff of Kent award for bravery – and £300 as a thank you.

The hero sat through the hearing in which Judge James O'Mahony said: "I want to say just how brave he was and he acted in the most sensible way. He showed the other side of humanity and I strongly hope he will be treated with every consideration by his employers."

Chambers, of Manorfield, Singleton, admitted attempted robbery in February and possessing a knife.

The judge told her: "One of the most terrifying films I have ever seen is Don't Look Now, and anyone who watched it will remember the look of horror on the actors' faces.

"This was as terrifying... but it was all too real. And anyone seeing the CCTV couldn't fail to notice the terror on your victim's face when he saw you with that horrible weapon.

"The effects on him have been both devastating and terrifying."

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Prosecutor Bridget Todd told Canterbury Crown Court how Chambers, dressed in a scarf covering her face, walked into the petrol station shop at 4.50am.

Mr Whybrow, who was alone at the time, told her to remove the scarf only to find himself facing the blade of an eight-inch knife.

She then snarled: "Give me the money!"

Ms Todd said Mr Whybrow refused and Chambers tried to climb over the counter, but failed while making a number of thrusting actions with the knife.

Chambers then grabbed a bottle of wine and smashed it on the counter before making another attempt to get to the till.

The prosecutor told how Mr Whybrow then grabbed the blade of the knife and refused to let go – despite it slicing his fingers.

Video: CCTV footage of the terrifying raid at Murco in South Ashford

Ms Todd told the judge: "He knew that was a likely consequence but he didn't want her to have the money."

Amazingly, when Chambers saw the blood, she dropped the knife and the broken bottle, and went to get kitchen roll to stem the blood.

When police arrived, they threatened to spray the would-be robber until she dropped the broken bottles.

David Griffiths, defending, said Chambers had a troubled life and had suffered the loss of a favourite puppy a few weeks earlier.

He said: "How she came to leave her house that night with a knife... I don't think even she is sure.

"The reality was that she was drunk. She didn't really need the money.

"Yet, even in her drunkenness, when she realised he was injured she showed she does have some humanity."

But the judge told Chambers: "Your victim wasn't to know about your problems and he is not responsible for your problems.

"You were so drunk and out of control that you could have struck a vital organ."

Mr Whybrow told how instinct kicked in when he was confronted by Chambers.

Ignoring her threats, fast-thinking Mr Whybrow pushed the panic button and locked the doors, trapping himself in the shop with her.

Mr Whybrow, of Barnet Field, South Ashford, grabbed Chambers - who was still clutching the eight-inch kitchen knife - in an attempt to disarm her.

But his efforts left him with a deep cut across four fingers on his right hand in the terrifying attack, at 4.50am on Thursday, February 21.

Mr Whybrow said: "She walked up to the desk with a scarf over her face. She said 'give me it'. I told her I didn't understand her and she said it again. When I asked her to say it a third time, that is when she got the knife out."

Mr Whybrow, who has three children with his wife Susan and nine grandchildren, tried to talk Chambers out of doing anything silly, and pointed out she was being filmed on CCTV.

He said: "She tried to jab me with the knife. I pressed the panic button under the desk and the button to lock both doors.

"I also called 999 on the phone and left it off the hook, hoping police would hear what was going on.

"Anyone seeing the CCTV couldn't fail to notice the terror on your victim's face when he saw you with that horrible weapon..." - Judge James O'Mahony

"She was shouting and said, 'I might as well go for it'. She smashed a few bottles and tried to climb over the counter. I tackled her and this was when my hand got cut.

"My main concern was the people on the forecourt as she had a knife and broken glass."

In a bizarre twist of events, Chambers went and fetched some kitchen towel for Mr Whybrow after she noticed his bleeding hand.

Mr Whybrow said: "I thought it was weird that she picked that time of day because it was quite busy. I remember seeing a few people on the courtyard, including the milkman."

When the police arrived, they got Chambers to the floor.

This is not the first time Mr Whybrow, who has worked at the garage in Brookfield Road for 11 years, has acted heroically.

He once confronted a shoplifter at the same garage and, when working in a supermarket in London, he chased and tackled a man who snatched an elderly woman's handbag.

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