A robber who stabbed a brave fish and chip shop owner after he refused to hand over the day’s takings has been jailed for seven years.

Gurdev Singh went towards the masked raider as he defiantly told him: “Come on then, come and get it.”

Soon afterwards he was bleeding profusely from a deep wound to his left thigh, Maidstone Crown Court was told.

The robber - Richard Carty - then fled empty-handed from the scene in Chatham.

Mr Singh, 49, had been leaving The Codfather in Luton Road shortly before 10.30pm on August 23 this year.

The 24-year-old, of Este Road, Battersea, south west London, admitted unlawful wounding and attempted robbery.

He denied wounding with intent and was acquitted by a jury.

“It seems he bit off more than he could chew because Mr Singh was not going to hand over the money, and stood up to him” - prosecutor Ian Foinette

Mr Singh was going towards his Range Rover car in the nearby yard when Carty approached and demanded the takings of around £1,600.

“It seems he bit off more than he could chew because Mr Singh was not going to hand over the money, and stood up to him,” said prosecutor Ian Foinette.

“He told the defendant if he wanted the money he had better come and get it. He refused to back down.

“Having had the tables turned on him the defendant picked up a knife and stabbed him in the upper thigh area.”

Mr Singh did not at first realise he had been stabbed but then saw blood pumping from his leg.

He staggered to the nearby Hen & Chickens pub where a customer tied a belt around his leg to stem the bleeding.

Mr Singh was taken to hospital where he needed transfusions and surgery to close the 7cm wound.

Mr Foinette said if the blade had struck a vein or artery it could have proved fatal.

Recorder Brian Argyle told Carty:“You thought Mr Singh was an easy target but he was a brave man and challenged you.

“The offence has left him with depression, ill-health and a serious injury to his leg.”

He added: “You have served time in prison for drug offences and violence. This is far more serious.”

Carty was sentenced to seven years for attempted robbery and two-and-a-half years concurrent for unlawful wounding.

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