Sipu Jha
A routine walk turned into a life or death moment for 23 year old Saudi student Hamza Albar, who bravely intervened to stop a violent assault in Sunderland. His quick thinking and fearless action prevented a serious crime and earned him public praise from both the police and the courts.
The attack in monkwearmouth
According to Okaz, The incident occurred on December 30, 2024, on Newcastle Road in the Monkwearmouth area of Sunderland, northeast Britain. A 42 year old man, Ian Hodson, followed a woman from behind, threw her to the ground, and attempted to sexually assault her, covering her mouth to prevent her from screaming.At that moment, Hamza Albar, a Saudi student living in the UK, was nearby, returning from a supermarket. His phone was almost out of battery and he was not wearing earbuds. Hearing the woman’s scream, he immediately recognized the danger. Albar quickly called the police, giving them the location before his phone died. Without hesitation, he ran toward the attacker, shouting for him to stop.
Confronting the attacker
Hodson initially tried to flee, but Albar pursued him relentlessly. During the altercation, Hodson struck Albar in the face. Despite the blow, Albar managed to catch and restrain him. He then stopped a passing vehicle and asked the occupants to call the police, who arrived promptly to arrest Hodson.While in custody, Hodson assaulted an officer and identified himself to the authorities. He was formally charged on New Year’s Day with multiple offenses, including the assault on the victim, the attack on Albar, and the assault on the police officer.
Legal proceedings and recognition
At the sentencing hearing on November 13, 2025, Newcastle Crown Court Judge David M. Gordon commended Albar’s courage, describing his actions as demonstrating “exceptional courage” and “public spirit.” The judge emphasized that Albar’s intervention prevented a more serious crime and played a crucial role in bringing Hodson to justice.Hodson was sentenced to nine years in prison, followed by five years of probation. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life and is subject to a permanent sex restraining order.
Community and police praise
Northumbria Police publicly praised Albar for his decisive intervention and support of the victim, describing the assault as “horrific” and crediting his actions as key to stopping the perpetrator. The Sunderland Echo highlighted the significance of Albar’s bravery as a reminder of the positive contributions made by immigrants and Muslim communities in the UK.Albar himself later described the incident as a sudden and terrifying turn in an ordinary evening. “The first thing I heard was a scream. I called the police, but my phone died right after I gave them the location. He tried to run, but I caught him. He punched me, but with the adrenaline I didn’t feel it. Moments later, officers arrived and held him down,” he recalled.
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