Constables praised for tackling knifeman

TWO South Yorkshire Police officers have been praised for bravery after tackling a knifeman who was trying to burn down a Sheffield pizza shop.

PC Daniel Goodinson and PC Dave Culshaw were told by Judge Peter Kelson QC that they had displayed ‘enormous courage in a terrifying situation’ as they tried to save the people inside the takeaway.

PC Goodison (pictured) was injured as he restrained Damien Walker at the Pizza Central takeaway on Halifax Road on 9 April. The former army recruit had poured petrol all over the premises and set it alight.

The court heard this month how Walker, who had found out his partner who worked at the shop was having an affair with a delivery driver, had threatened other employees with a knife before returning with petrol and starting a fire in the shop.

Walker had barred the door so police officers couldn’t get inside as he made attempts to start the fire with his lighter. PC Goodison made his way in and tackled Walker just as a bench was set alight.

Susan Evans, prosecuting, said: “The PC grabbed the knife from the defendant, cutting himself in the struggle. As he managed to disarm the defendant, shop staff bravely extinguished the flames.”

Judge Kelson sentenced Walker to four years in jail after for making threats with a knife, arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered and putting a person in fear of violence.

Walker, aged 30, of Remington Road, Parson Cross pleaded guilty to the charges.

The judge said: “The courage and quick-thinking of the worker in the shop and the police saved the day. Thankfully, minimal damage was caused.”

PC Goodinson, who is 32 and has been a police officer for 11 years, said he was pleased but surprised they had been singled out for praise by the judge in the case.

“It is lovely, we don’t normally get things like that.

“But it is just by chance me and Dave were first there. Had it been any of my colleagues, they would have done exactly the same.

“It is what we do, day in and day out – this was just a bit more extreme than usual,” according to the Star.

Photo: The Star