A former maths teacher who attacked multiple members of the public with a knife in Southampton has today been jailed for two and a half years

Just after 12.45pm on a Sunday afternoon in August, last year, Azzeddine Mahmoudi began his attack near to a supermarket in Bevois Valley Road, causing widespread panic as people were trying to go about their daily business.

During the attack, a court heard two people suffered serious, but thankfully not life-threatening injuries, while he also attempted to assault five further people.

As the 46-year-old ran around with a long kitchen knife in his hand, several members of the public bravely sought to contain and coral him, leading him away from the busiest areas.

A court heard today one of those brave people “wasn’t trying to be a hero” but they “just wanted to help”.

When officers arrived at the scene, Mahmoudi was stopped with incapacitant spray, and then arrested. During a search, a second smaller knife was located in his possession.

None of the witnesses reported having heard him say anything during the duration of the

Appearing for sentencing at Southampton Crown Court today (January 29), it was heard Mahmoudi, who has an aerospace degree, had suffered with mental health issues for a number of years.

It was heard the first injured victim had suffered cuts to his head and arm, before the second victim – both men – stepped in to try and help the first, and suffered injuries to his hand.

Mahmoudi, of Cobbett Road, Southampton, pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful wounding, one count of affray and two counts of possession of a bladed article, following the incident which happened on Sunday 3 August.

He was jailed for a total of two and a half years.

Judge William Mousley KC told Mahmoudi: “The situation you created caused panic, with many members of the public, including children, fearing for their safety.

“I am satisfied this was part of a prolonged incident. A number of witnesses have discussed the ongoing anxiety this has caused them.”

Speaking after the sentencing, investigating officer DC Ryan Mitchell said: “Azzeddine Mahmoudi launched a frenzied attack which was terrifying for all involved and those in the vicinity, when all they were trying to do was go about their business on a sunny summer’s afternoon.

“The fact no one was more seriously hurt or died as a result of this attack is in no small part thanks to the heroic actions of those members of the public, who, without a second thought for their own safety, bravely stepped in to help those around them and prevent him from sustaining his attacks much further before police arrived.”