A BOXING champion who was shot by a love rival went in search of his attacker armed with two knives, a court heard.

A judge warned Samson Alluko that people must not try to take the law into their own hands, but praised his bravery in giving evidence against the gunman, despite increasing threats warning him not to testify.

Mark Ralphs, aged 21, of Quakerfields, Westhoughton, who shot Alluko in the leg, was last week convicted of attempted murder and is to be sentenced next month.

Liverpool Crown Court heard this week that Alluko, who has twice represented England at boxing and was shortlisted for the Olympic team, pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed article, affray and breaching an ASBO.

Judge Mark Brown told Alluko, aged 19, of Lever Street, Tyldesley, that carrying knives in a public place cannot be tolerated. He sentenced Alluko to 236 days detention — exactly half of the time he has spent on remand, meaning he could be immediately released from custody.

But the judge told him: “You have proved the system of justice can work if people are steadfast and courageous and face up to threats and intimidation.”

The court heard that as well as the attack on his home and threats to his foster mother, Alluko was put on the same prison wing at Forest Bank in Agecroft, Salford, as the man who tried to kill him.

Alluko had been threatened as to what would happen if he continued to be a witness against Ralphs, but he remained steadfast, said Judge Brown.

“You gave evidence and in my view that is a remarkable state of affairs and this case is exceptional,” he added.

“People must understand that in a civilised society individuals cannot be allowed to take the law into their own hands. At the same time, our system of criminal justice requires witnesses to give evidence and should not be subjected to a campaign of intimidation and threats.”