Robber’s escape bid halted by journalist

Knifepoint robber Karl Jones ran towards Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC before making for the exit doors of the courtroom at Bradford Crown Court.

Jones, 37, was stopped in his tracks by freelance court reporter John Davies who rugby tackled him to the floor.

Mr Davies was commended by the judge and awarded £250 from public funds.

Jones, a father-of-two, was sentenced to nine years behind bars, with a three year extended licence period on top, for six armed robberies at shops in Bradford.

He pleaded guilty to two robberies and asked for four more to be taken into consideration.

In the space of eight days he carried out armed raids on a newsagents in Norman Lane, Eccleshill and on a Greggs bakery on the same road.

As he fled from Greggs he was chased by a member of the public who he then threatened to stab.

Jones, of King’s Drive, Wrose, Shipley, had been brought into court from the cells after being held in prison awaiting sentence.

He pleaded guilty last month to the knifepoint robbery at Greggs.

Jones also admitted possessing heroin and robbing Lister’s newsagents and convenience store in Stone Hall Road, Eccleshill, of £500 at knifepoint on May 31.

He also pleaded guilty to having a kitchen knife in a public place.

The judge told Jones he was a danger to the public. He has a previous conviction for causing grievous bodily harm when he cut a man on the neck with a knife.

Jones committed the offences to pay for drugs following the breakdown of a relationship.

As the judge handed down the sentence, Jones shouted “I can’t do 12 years” and jumped from the dock.

Journalist Mr Davies, of Burley-in-Wharfedale, yesterday played down his role.

“The tackle was not that spectacular though the technique was pretty good. My old school rugby teacher would have been surprised.”

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