Court reporter rugby tackles armed robber

A freelance court reporter was awarded £250 by a judge after rugby-tackling an armed robber to stop him escaping the courtroom.

Karl Jones leapt from the dock at Bradford Crown Court after he was sentenced to an extended 12-year prison sentence for six armed robberies yesterday afternoon.

But as he made for exit doors of the courtroom, he was stopped by freelance court reporter John Davies who rugby tackled him to the floor.

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

A report of the incident was carried in today’s edition of Bradford daily the Telegraph and Argus.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC had just sentenced Jones to nine years behind bars, with a three year extended licence period on top, for six armed robberies at shops in Bradford.

Jones exclaimed:  “Is that 12 years? “I can’t do 12 years,” before making his bid for freedom, jumping from the dock and running towards the judge before veering past the clerk and heading for the doors.

One of his relatives shouted “scumbags” at the court as Jones was taken back to the dock and down to the cells when he was recaptured.

Jones, of King’s Drive, Shipley, pleaded last month guilty to a knifepoint robbery at Greggs bakery in Bradford on July 5 and admitted further offences yesterday.

The judge told Jones: “Without extensive supervision, you are a real danger.”

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-23816105

Court reporter rugby tackles armed robber