A HAVE-a-go hero who chased down a serial sex offender has been commended for his public spirit by the police.

Former Army corporal Neil Jones said he was honoured to receive the praise after he sprung into action when his daughter heard a woman screaming in Barrow town centre.

Jeffrey Ronald Richardson, of Severn Road, Barrow, was jailed earlier this year for 10 years after being found guilty by a jury of three counts of sexual assault.

“I felt really chuffed to receive an award as it is very rare that a member of the public gets one,” said Mr Jones, of Church Street.

“It is also nice to feel recognised for something you have done.

“Being from the army you are trained to deal with these type of situations and I tend to be quite calm.”

The commendation from Cumbria police chief constable Michelle Skeer said: “Mr Jones is a member of the public who has gone beyond what was expected of him. He did not think of his own safety and his only thoughts were about keeping the victim safe and keeping the offender detained until the police arrived.

“Without his intervention the man could have fled the scene, his actions on the night not only showed incredible bravery but enabled a dangerous male to be caught and convicted.”

Mr Jones, an Army Pathfinder and Barrow AFC steward, said his training kicked in when he heard the commotion.

“In that particular moment I wasn’t really thinking about what was happening I just knew I had to respond,” he said.

“One of the thoughts going through my mind was how this could be someone’s daughter or mother and what would I want someone else to do if that was anyone from my family.

“I would like to think that someone would do the same, but the police don’t recommend it as you are putting yourself in a dangerous situation.

“I had to restrain him for 25 minutes while the police came, with him being very violent and he even had a knife on him.

“Fortunately, my training kicked as I have been taught how to restrain people, not only through being in the army but also as a steward at Barrow AFC.

He added: “Since the event my partner won’t open the door and the past 12 months have been very stressful for myself. My priority now is just protecting my family and helping them to feel safe.”

A court heard Richardson, who had 200 previous convictions, forced himself into a woman’s car where he began a horrifying sexual attack. A short time later the victim managed to escape from the vehicle and run down the road but was caught by Richardson, who dragged her to the ground in Church Street in an attempt to continue his attack.

Alerted to screams of distress by his daughter Mr Jones left his Church Street home to see if he could help.

He ran out into the street to see Richardson holding a struggling woman by the scruff of the neck, as she lay on the floor.

Seeing the six foot tall 18 stone Mr Jones, Richardson fled into the night.

Mr Jones chased Richardson towards Ramsden Street, where he managed to restrain him following a brief scuffle, unconcerned for his own welfare.

The court heard he had targeted a woman he had seen walking her dog earlier in the day and he also later sexually assaulted the nurse.

Judge Sara Dodd described Richardson as a “violent menace with misogynist views of women.”