Driver praised by judge after he helped stop knifeman

Andrew Hull was so concerned when he spotted the man pulling a knife out of a back pack that he followed him in his car.

And when he saw a schoolboy unwittingly walking towards the knifeman he shouted to the youth to run.

Joshua Rider, who was carrying the weapon, flew into a rage and hurled the knife at Mr Hull's BMW but the driver swiftly reversed over it to prevent him getting it back.

As 21-year-old Rider, pictured, was given a suspended prison sentence at Bolton Crown Court the judge, Recorder Sarah Johnson, told him: "Mr Hull is to be commended for the very public-spirited way he that he dealt with your behaviour."

Craig MacGregor, prosecuting, told the court how, just after 5pm on June 21 last year Mr Hull saw Rider come out of the post office on Rishton Lane, Bolton.

"He saw the defendant fall over very drunk. Mr Rider was mumbling to himself and was incoherent," said Mr MacGregor.

Walking up Rupert Street, Rider hurled a bottle into the road, which smashed.

After getting into his car Mr Hull spotted Rider again on Lever Edge Lane and watched as he pulled a 12 inch bladed knife out of a back pack.

"The defendant started to walk towards Rupert Street, knife in his right hand and he entered a house through some open gates," said Mr MacGregor.

Rider, who concealed the knife up a sleeve, repeatedly demanded that a man at the house, who was busy doing the garden, should "get me Tyler" even after being told that no one of that name lived there.

"It was obvious that the defendant was drunk or on drugs, or both and he was getting more and more frustrated," said Mr MacGregor, who added that Rider then walked off, getting the knife out again.

Seeing this, Mr Hull began sounding his car horn, and tried to get Rider's attention when he spotted a boy walking along Rupert Street towards the garden.

"Mr Hull shouted to the boy to run as there was a man with a knife," said Mr MacGregor.

Rider, spotting the boy, repeatedly yelled, "stop running. Come here" at him, but Mr Hull continued beeping his horn, getting the defendant's attention and the boy was able to run away.

Rider, knife in hand, waved it around in a threatening way before hurling at Mr Hull's car, hitting the boot.

"Mr Hull very quickly reversed, hoping that the car would cover the knife so that the defendant could not retrieve it," said Mr MacGregor.

Angry Rider, wanting the weapon back, repeatedly banged on the car doors and windows, causing £800 of damage to the vehicle.

"He had fists clenched and was hitting and kicking the car with a lot of aggression," said Mr MacGregor, who said that Rider was trying to force his way into the locked driver's door when police arrived.

After a short chase Rider was caught and arrested.

In a victim statement read out in court Mr Hull said he had been very concerned for members of the public.

"There were children around. Kids should be allowed to play on the streets without someone in that state coming round the corner. It was very worrying," he said.

Rider, of Trafford Street, Farnworth, pleaded guilty to affray, possessing a knife and criminal damage.

The court heard that he has no previous convictions but began drinking excessively two years ago because of family difficulties.

"He has next to no recollection of that day," said Ellie Akhgar, defending, who said that he had been drinking vodka throughout the day.

"He does not know why he did what he did but he is genuinely trying to understand."

She added that Rider is ashamed and embarrassed about his behaviour and has now started attending Alcoholics Anonymous sessions.

Sentencing Rider, Recorder Johnson told him he had been responsible for causing fear among the people he encountered that day.

"Most seriously you chased a schoolchild down the street, all the while in possession of a menacing knife," said Recorder Johnson

"Your level of intoxication meant that the risk of harm you posed was incredibly high."

After hearing about Rider's "challenging personal circumstances" Recorder Johnson sentenced him to 16 months in prison suspended for 12 months.

As part of the sentence he must undertake 100 hours of unpaid work and 35 days of rehabilitation activities as well as 12 months of an alcohol treatment programme.

The judge also ordered Rider to pay Mr Hull £800 in compensation for his damaged car.