Have-a-go 84-year-old is bookie’s favourite

Sidney Bannister

A war veteran who tackled a gun-wielding robber in a Lees bookies has been nominated for Pride in Oldham Award.

Sidney Bannister (84), from Turner Street, Lees, was at the Coral Bookmakers last August when 30-year-old Henry Rockson walked in armed with a ball-bearing gun and demanded cash from the till.

Mr Bannister refused to stand idly by while Rockson threatened staff and he tackled the raider. The retired HGV driver managed to remove the thug’s mask during the struggle, making him identifiable on CCTV.

But despite pleas for help, nine other customers refused to move as Rockson beat Mr Bannister over the head with the gun before fleeing.

Rockson, responsible for a string of armed raids, was jailed for two years. Mr Bannister, who served with the Royal Artillery Corps during the Second World War, was later presented with a gold bravery award during the National Police Public Bravery Awards ceremony in July. CCTV images of him tackling Rockson have been beamed across the globe via national and international news channels.

Now the father-of-two and grandfather-of-four has received an anonymous nomination in the Special Achievement category for his bravery in tackling the thug.

Mr Bannister said: “When you see a man there with a gun pointing at two women, it’s just not on.

“I couldn’t let them do that, slowly walking out with the money, it’s not nice. I’ve had nothing but praise since the incident, nobody has said anything bad.

“I’ve even had comments from people in America saying I should be made president.

“I still go to the same bookies, I’ve got lots of friends there and they even make me a cup of tea.”