Pressman rugby tackles armed robber in escape bid from court

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

Jones asked Judge Durham Hall: “Is that 12 years?

He then shouted “I can’t do 12 years,” and jumped from the dock.

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 a knifepoint robbery at Greggs bakery in Norman Lane, Eccleshill, Bradford, on July 5.

Yesterday, Jones admitted possessing heroin on June 14 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 robbing a shop assistant at a newsagent shop in Norman Lane on June 27 and having a kitchen knife in a public place.

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

Journalist Mr Davies today played down his role in stopping Jones’ bid for freedom.

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