Amazing actions of security guard who disarmed Derby knifeman
Derbyshire England May 17 2020
A security guard who calmed and disarmed a Derby man who had just stabbed two victims has been handed an award for his bravery.
Judge Nirmal Shant said Charles Odei Antwi’s quick-thinking actions to put himself between the knifeman and other people helped diffuse the situation at the Sainsbury’s store in Boyer Street.
A previous hearing earlier this week was told how Jamie Austin plunged the knife into two different men, one of whom was getting back into his mobility scooter, outside the supermarket.
After being arrested the 31-year-old, of nearby Warner Street, told the officer he “woke up that morning wanting to kill someone”.
And the same guard, as well as staff at the store, have also been praised for the way they handled the shocking situation by the lead investigator for Derbyshire Police.
Judge Nirmal Shant, who this week jailed Austin for 12 years, called the case back on Friday as she wants to hand Mr Antwi a High Sheriff’s award for his quick-thinking actions.
She said: “The reason I have asked for this case to be listed is that it seems to me the security guard, Charles Osei Antwi was a witness in the case and it is quite clear to me on viewing the CCTV footage he behaved with considerable bravery in circumstances that were, to put it mildly, very intense.
“He repeatedly put himself between the defendant and other witnesses at a time when the defendant was brandishing a knife.
“In those circumstances, I would like to give him a High Sherrif’s award of £750 and he will be notified accordingly.”
Shocking footage played at Derby Crown Court at his sentencing hearing showed Austin first thrust the knife at two 16-year-olds using the cashpoint machine at Sainsbury’s on May 6, last year.
Moments later the CCTV captured him approaching the next ATM user and stab him once to the back before walking away.
Austin, a porter at the Royal Derby Hospital, then entered the store and followed terrified shoppers and staff around to the extent that some flee out the doors.
The father-of-one then walked out again and stabbed his second victim, who was getting into a mobility scooter, once to the side.
Workers at the store then try in vain to stop Austin entering the supermarket a second time where he is confronted by his first stabbing victim.
Finally, armed police arrive pointing guns at the defendant forcing him to the ground and arresting him.
