A SHOPKEEPER foiled a gunman trying to rob him by knocking the weapon from his attacker's hands with a cricket bat, a court heard.

Lahbir Jhutty, who kept a broken cricket bat under the counter at Cans off-licence in Park Lane, Lane End, knocked the gun for six when it was pointed at him.

Martyn Jacobs, 21, of Bowerdean Way, High Wycombe, pleaded guilty at Aylesbury Crown Court on Thursday to attempting to rob Mr Jhutty on December 22 last year and to possessing an imitation firearm.

Prosecuting, Tim Ashmole said Jacobs went into the off-licence as Mr Jhutty was stacking shelves.

He selected a can of drink and as Mr Jhutty scanned it through for pricing, the defendant suddenly produced a black handgun from underneath his jacket and demanded "Gimme the cash".

Mr Jhutty struck out with the cricket bat and knocked the gun from Jacobs' hand, who then picked up the weapon, swore and ran out empty-handed.

At the time of the attempted robbery Mr Ashmole said Jacobs had been bailed for two burglaries in Roberts Road, High Wycombe, and in Totteridge Road, High Wycombe, in August and December 20 and attempted theft from a car in Prestwood on September 17.

He was committed for sentence by Wycombe magistrates.

Jacobs' lawyer Basil Hillman said his client had been subject to threats by people who mistakenly identified him as owing them money for a drugs debt.

Judge Roger Connor adjourned sentence on all the offences for up to date social inquiry reports and remanded him in custody to an unspecified date.