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More on KentOnline
A brave 'Good Samaritan' - who stood between an armed robber and his terrified victim - has won the praise of a judge.
Jason Harvey was passing a flat in Fern Court, Dover, as Mark O’Brien fled into the street – his face covered in blood from a deep slash wound.
Then, as the hooded thug – wielding a chef’s knife and knuckleduster – ran to continue his brutal attack, Mr Harvey confronted him and talked him into leaving.
Now Judge Heather Norton has recommended the young man receive a High Sheriff of Kent Award for Bravery.
She said: “Not only was he a Good Samaritan... he was an extraordinarily brave one.”
Minutes earlier she had jailed one of the three men, Jason Buggs, for 11-and-a-half-years for his part into two robberies in Dover in May last year.
“He stood between Mr O’Brien and the assailant who was still in possession of a knife and a knuckleduster and clearly showed conspicuous bravery by persuading him to go away” - Judge Heather Norton
Buggs, 30, of Leybourne Road had pleaded guilty to robbing a youngster of his £900 BMW bike, which was carried out with two hooded pals.
But he denied going to the home of a friend Mr O’Brien and talking his way inside before asking if two friends could come in.
A jury at Canterbury Crown Court heard how the victim was then slashed across the face by a man with an eight-inch chef’s knife after the three demanded money.
They found Buggs guilty of the second robbery and wounding with intent – although the other two thugs have never been caught.
Prosecutor Anthony Prosser had told how Buggs, who is permanently disabled and needs a crutch to walk, had spoken to Aaron Hammond, who was using a cash machine outside the Asda Store.
He said Buggs asked for change but then his accomplices arrive and demand he hand over £10 he had just withdrawn.
The incident was caught on CCTV and played to the judge which showed one man grabbing the victim in a headlock as Buggs rides away on the stolen bike.
The judge told him: “This was a joint robbery and whatever role each individual played they bear joint responsibility.”
Hours later Buggs and two others went into the home of his friend when one of the men produced the knife and demanded cash.
During the struggle, Mr O'Brien was slashed across his face and hand and needed stitches for deep wounds.
He has now been left with a permanent scar from his right earlobe to the front of his face.
Mr O’Brien later told the jury as he fled his flat, he saw that Buggs was holding a Stanley knife although it wasn’t used in the savage attack.
The terrified victim – who jumped down stairs – later revealed he was so frightened he believed he was going to die.
The judge added: “Fortunately for him as he ran into the road a Good Samaritan was there in the shape of Mr Harvey.
“He stood between Mr O’Brien and the assailant who was still in possession of a knife and a knuckleduster and clearly showed conspicuous bravery by persuading him to go away.”
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