An ‘incredibly brave’ industrial estate worker was caught on video fending off knife-wielding burglars with just a plank of wood.

His heroic stand was captured on CCTV and helped put Haiwa Ezzeddine Mohammed, 35, behind bars for his crimes.

The worker, who has not been named, was given a shock when he arrived for work and bumped into the thief as he used a fence post to smash open a safe stolen from an earlier heist.

Mohammed had stolen the security box along with £15,000 worth of cigarettes and cash as part of a gang which broke into a convenience store by cutting through the ceiling.

Dramatic CCTV footage at the Birmingham industrial unit shows Mohammed grab a machete from his white Mercedes getaway car and run towards the Good Samaritan, swinging the blade in an attempt to scare him off.

But the fearless man stands his ground and takes on the knifeman with a piece of wood he picked up from the floor.

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The security footage shows Mohammed backing away and then running off before the man called police to report the group on July 25, 2019.

Officers traced Mohammed’s car and seven days later arrested him at his home in Tipton, West Midlands.

A search of the vehicle uncovered tools used in the burglary plus cash and Viagra tablets also stolen from the shop.

His phone was also found to contain a video he took of his 32-year-old accomplice, who was previously jailed for 40 months, breaking into the stolen safe.

West Midlands Police also found the trainers he was seen wearing in the CCTV at his home.

Mohammed denied burglary, going equipped for burglary and making threats with a bladed article but was found guilty following a four-day trial.

He was jailed for four years at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday, April 19.

The courageous worker, who police have not named, has now been nominated for a bravery award by the force.

PC Mat Evans of Birmingham Police said: ‘He showed incredible bravery in being able to fend off the gang, and ended up chasing them all off despite being outnumbered and facing a terrifying weapon.

‘We are nominating him for a police bravery award.

‘Not only did he demonstrate incredible bravery in defending himself, but his evidence was vital to pulling the whole case together to secure a conviction against a violent crook.’

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