A 50-year-old armed robber who was tackled by “remarkably” brave have-a-go heroes as he tried to hold up a fast food cafe at gunpoint, has been jailed for 18 months.

Thomas Edward Carson pointed the gun in the face of the owner of The Kebab House at Main Street, Irvinestown, and demanded money.

However, the owner knocked the gun from his hand and two customers then helped him restrain Carson until police arrived.

Carson, who was living at Tedd Road, Irvinestown, at the time, appeared before Omagh Crown Court, sitting in Laganside in Belfast, on Monday.

He had pleaded guilty to having a gun with intent to commit robbery and attempting to rob Ebrahim Hoosen of £500.

He was also charged with having a gun, namely an air pistol, with intent to cause someone to believe unlawful violence would be used against them, and a lock knife.

Those charges were “left on the books”, not to be proceeded with without leave of the court or the Court of Appeal.

Carson will spend three years on licence when released from prison.

The terms of his licence are that he is to participate actively in any alcohol or drug counselling and treatment programme recommended by his probation officer.

He must also take part in any programme recommended by the Community Mental Health Team or the Probation Board for Northern Ireland’s Psychology Department.

An initial court hearing was told how, in the early hours of Sunday, November 24, 2013, the owner of The Kebab House at Main Street, Irvinestown, contacted police to say he had detained a man. He said the man had come into the cafe wearing a Balaclava, pointed a gun his face and demanded money. Initially the owner thought it was a practical joke but the masked man continued to threaten him with the gun so he took the money from the till, put it into a plastic bag and handed it to the man. However, as the man reached for the bag of money the owner knocked the gun from his hand and two customers helped him restrain the man until the police arrived. Officers recovered the gun and Balaclava as well as a lock knife and screwdriver.

Carson was arrested and taken to Enniskillen Police Station. He was interviewed and admitted using the BB (ball bearing) gun and wearing the Balaclava He told officers he was looking for help and that he wanted to get caught and arrested. He said he didn’t want to rob anyone but wanted to scare the “bastards”, adding that there were “too many foreigners” in the country.

The court heard that while in custody he was taken to the South West Acute Hospital to be medically examined and admitted having health and financial worries. He also threatened to kill himself.

A defence solicitor said Carson had significant mental health problems.

District Judge Nigel Broderick said these were serious matters because a Balaclava and gun were used and threats made.

He said the owner of The Kebab House had shown “remarkable bravery” when confronted by a man with a gun, as had the two customers who had helped restrain Carson until the police arrived.