A dangerous criminal leapt from the dock at Bradford Crown Court after he was sentenced to an extended 12-year prison sentence for six armed robberies yesterday afternoon.

Karl Jones ran towards Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC before making for the exit doors of the courtroom.

Jones, 37, was stopped by freelance court reporter John Davies who rugby tackled him to the floor.

Mr Davies was immediately commended by the judge and awarded £250 from public funds.

Jones was sentenced to nine years behind bars, with a three year extended licence period on top, for six armed robberies at shops in Bradford.

Wearing a bright orange jacket, he asked Judge Durham Hall: “Is that 12 years?”, then shouted “I can’t do 12 years,” as he made his bid for freedom by jumping from the dock, running towards the judge before veering past the clerk and heading for the doors.

One of his relatives shouted “scumbags” at the court as Jones was taken back to the dock and down to the cells when he was recaptured.

Jones, of King’s Drive, Wrose, Shipley, had been brought into court from the cells after being held in prison awaiting sentence.

Last month, he pleaded guilty to a knifepoint robbery at Greggs bakery in Norman Lane, Eccleshill, Bradford, on July 5.

Jones climbed over the counter wearing a black stocking mask and holding a big kitchen knife before grabbing £800 from the till. The woman shop assistant ran screaming to the toilets but bravely returned when she realised she had left her female colleague to face Jones.

Yesterday, Jones admitted possession of heroin on June 14 and robbing Lister’s newsagents and convenience store in Stone Hall Road, Eccleshill, of £500 at knifepoint on May 31. Jones also pleaded guilty to robbing shop assistant Sammy Secrets at a newsagent shop in Norman Lane on June 27 and having a kitchen knife in a public place.

He asked the court to take into consideration a robbery the Co-op at Bolton Junction and two further robberies at Co-op stores in the city.

Prosecutor Richard Davies said Jones was to be sentenced for six robberies, between May 18 and July 5.

Miss Secrets had a large knife held to her body and Jones demanded: “Empty the till, love.”

He snatched £60 in cash and a further £10 note from Miss Secrets’ hand.

Judge Durham Hall praised member of the public Paul Hunter for chasing after Jones after he robbed Greggs.

Jones twice threatened to stab Mr Hunter, who knew him.

The judge told Jones he was a danger to the public. He had a previous conviction for causing grievous bodily harm when he cut a man in the neck with a knife.

“Without extensive supervision, you are a real danger,” Judge Durham Hall said.