The trial was held at the Old Bailey

Judge Martin Stephens, QC, said to Pc David Davies, originally from Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire: "I think your country could do with your services."

The judge, also from Wales, made jurors laugh at his wry comment at the decline of Welsh rugby following the latest defeat for the national side at the hands of England over the weekend.

The Old Bailey heard how 26-year-old Mr Davies - a bricklayer with Pembrokeshire Council before joining the Met force - rugby-tackled 21-year-old Jermaine James after he had shot at him three times from point blank range.

He was injured in the thigh during the incident.

The jury was told how the officer, who has been with the London force for five years, was on duty in Notting Hill, west London, when he encountered James.

The gunman fired at him three times, one bullet narrowly missing his neck and ripping through his collar, and another hitting his thigh.

Pc Davies was told Wales could have used his tackling skills

"Everything happened so fast I didn't realise I had been hit," he told the court.

"He was only about two metres from me when he turned, aimed and fired.

"I rugby tackled him, hitting him hard and he ended up face down."

The 18-stone constable was a keen rugby prop until he was injured and the court heard he had been left traumatised by the attack.

'Courageous'

Judge Stephens commended Mr Davies and three of his colleagues for the "courageous and selfless way" they pursued James, knowing he had a gun.

The officers had spotted James sprinting away from a car brandishing a .22 converted Brocock revolver which contained five rounds.

The judge told James: "The use of guns on the streets of London has become a plague.

"You fired on an officer doing his duty. One shot missed vital vessels in his neck by a couple of millimetres."

James had denied a charge of attempted murder but was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in jail.