Britain’s Newcastle Crown Court has praised a 23-year-old Saudi man for his extraordinary bravery in thwarting an attempted rape in Sunderland last year.
Hamzah Albar witnessed 42-year-old Ian Hudson attacking a woman on a roadside. Hudson had followed the victim, forced her to the ground, assaulted her, and covered her mouth to silence her. Without hesitation, Albar confronted the assailant, causing him to flee.
Albar, however, pursued Hudson, caught up with him, and restrained him by pinning down his hands and feet - despite being punched in the face during the struggle. He then flagged down passing motorists to call the police.
Officers arrived promptly and arrested Hudson.
During the trial, the judge formally commended Albar for his 'extraordinary courage and public-spiritedness'.
“Mr Albar intervened without hesitation to prevent the rape of the complainant who was in clear and immediate danger," the judge said.
"In doing so, he not only placed himself at personal risk, but was in fact assaulted by the defendant as he restrained him until the police arrived.
“His actions undoubtedly prevented an even more serious offence from being carried out and ensured that the defendant could be swiftly brought to justice.”
Hudson has been sentenced to nine years in prison after being found guilty of attempted rape, sexual assault, non-fatal strangulation, and multiple counts of assault, including attacks on the victim, Albar, and arresting officers.
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