Canterbury's top judge has thanked a have-a-go hero for restoring her faith in humanity.

Adele Williams made her remarks after presenting market trader David Carter with a High Sheriff Award for his courage.

Judge Williams said: "I am often asked whether I have lost all faith in humanity, seeing that I have to deal with examples of great wickedness, terrible acts of violence and sheer greed.

"I always reply that I haven't lost my faith because in many court cases we see examples of people who have acted with great bravery or with great public-spiritedness."

Mr Carter was praised after he helped in the arrest of Wayne Norris, who was fleeing from a violent road accident in Canterbury.

The judge said: "He was at work when he saw a man being chased by two police officers. There then ensued an extremely violent struggle. The man was kicking out wildly and one of the officers was injured.

"So bravely, Mr Carter stepped into the situation and assisted the officers in restraining the man's legs."

Norris, of Lydia Road, Deal, was later jailed for 12 months after admitting driving dangerously, assault on a police officer and other motoring offences.

Donna East, prosecuting, had told how police officers spotted Norris' car in Canterbury at lunchtime on March 16 last year.

"He has no licence to drive nor insurance and was wanted in connection to causing damage in Faversham," she said.

"The officers tried to intercept him on the main ring road.

"He refused to stop, speeding off down busy narrow roads, where there were a lot of pedestrians, at about 40mph in a 30mph limit.

"Eventually he turned into a street which was blocked due to roadworks and bollards at the end."

"thank you for helping to restore my faith in human nature…” – judge adele williams

She said that Norris' car then mounted the pavement and turned into a pedestrian-only area.

Ms East added: "The officer took him by his left arm to stop him. The defendant turned to face the officer and was compliant at first. But as the officer turned to look for his colleague, the defendant swung a punch at him with full force.

"This struck the officer to the side of the head, stunning him. He was later treated in hospital for conclusion," she added.

Norris then tried to run off again along St George's Street, but was tackled by Mr Carter.

Kent's High Sheriff Georgie Warner also presented an award to a former Canterbury pastoral assistant Craig Ryalls, whose evidence helped convict a paedophile.

Rev Ryalls, who now lives in Woking, had used "great good common sense" in handling the situation and the notes he made of the allegations 14 years ago "proved vital in securing the conviction of a man who was still working with children and posed a great danger to them".

The judge told them both: "Well done. Thank you for helping to restore my faith in human nature."