A brave gran has stepped in to save two shoppers from being attacked by three thugs in a Wilko store.

The sickening attack at the busy store at the Arndale in Manchester saw the three young men – Casey Tighe, 18, Zeyn Badat, 18, and Ryan Lavelle, 20 – threatening two men to hand over their belongings.

CCTV played at Manchester Crown Court shows the trio cornering the victims at the back of the store as other shoppers walking on other aisles, Manchester Evening News reports.

Tighe and Badat are seen attacking one man, kicking him as he stays on the ground, with Lavelle assaulting the other.

Moments later, the hero grandmother intervenes and pulls the gang away as she tends to the victims.

The attackers then flee the scene before members of staff approach.

The incident, which happened on November 14 last year, unfolded when the two victims, aged 19 and 20, were threatened by Lavelle to hand over their Dsquared cap and mobiles phones.

The court heard if they didn't, Lavelle would "'stab" him "in the face".

Judge Suzanne Goddard QC said it was a "miracle" the man attacked by Tighe and Badat was not more seriously hurt. He suffered bruising and swelling.

She called them "vicious, cowardly thugs", and said they behaved like a "pack of animals preying on those you considered weaker than yourselves".

The trio, who were also involved in a series of robberies, pleaded guilty to a number of offences.

Tighe, of Morecambe Close, Newton Heath, pleaded guilty to five counts of robbery and was jailed for three years and four months.

Badat, of Potter Street, Bury, admitted attempted robbery and robbery.

He received a 24 month community order, to include 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a four month curfew from 7pm to 7am.

Badat had previously spent 10 months on remand in prison, and the judge said he had 'responded well' while in custody and made 'real change'.

Lavelle, of Belgrave Road, Oldham admitted robbery and affray and was sentenced to three years.

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