Karate girl, 11, fights off attacker in Bristol
AN 11-year-old girl used her karate skills to fight off a man who attacked her as she was walked to school.
Jade Pidden noticed a man following her in a secluded lane in Stockwood.
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Jade Pidden, 11, below, fought off a man who tried to grab her
The brave schoolgirl tried to run away but the man grabbed her by her rucksack, and that's when Jade's three years of karate training kicked in.
She used all her strength to elbow him in the chest and punch him in the face, causing her shocked attacker to flee.
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When Jade got to school she told the receptionist what happened and the on-site police officer was informed.
Police are investigating the disturbing incident and asking for witnesses to come forward.
Brown-belt Jade says she first spotted the man when she turned off Lyons Court Road and into Winash Close.
By the time she reached the lane running between the Imperial ground field and Knowle golf course she said he was right behind her and asking to speak to her.
Jade ran away through a gap in the fence and into the field, pursued by the man who managed to grab her rucksack.
But she fought back, delivering the blows that saw her attacker run off.
Jade, who has a twin sister Amber, said: "I had walked ahead of my sister and her friend when I saw a man following me. I ran away but he grabbed my bag which was over both my shoulders on my back – I think he was trying to attack me.
"He was trying to grab me, not my bag. The bag was just something he was able to get hold of when I ran.
"When he did I just automatically responded by elbowing him in the chest and punching him in the face.
"He looked pretty shocked and ran away with his hand over one eye. I was quite upset but my sister and her friend comforted me on the rest of the way to school."
Jade's parents, pictured with their daughter, believe the incident may have been an abduction attempt.
Her mum Carly Maughan, 31, a nursing home housekeeper, said: "When I was phoned by the police I was so shocked – it really didn't sink in. Then I became very upset.
"The police say they think it was a attempted robbery but that's not my gut feeling. I'm so proud of her – she was very brave."
Jade's dad Stuart, 33, a self-employed mechanic, added: "Jade just lashed out and I am glad she did. Clearly three years of karate lessons has paid off.
"The police say it was an attempted robbery but why would anyone want a bag with homework in? We worry it was something worse and are concerned if it happened again the girl might not be so lucky."
Simon Hall, Jade's instructor at the Bristol Martial Arts Academy in Hengrove, said: "I rang her dad to make sure she was OK after I heard what had happened.
"We think Jade will be looking at doing her black belt in March next year. It just goes to show a little bit of training can go a long way."
Jade described the man as white, 6ft tall, slim, in his early 20s, with light brown hair and a long fringe.
She said he was wearing a blue hoodie, with white writing and tight jeans with black and white Nike trainers.
A police spokesman said: "Police received a report of an attempted robbery in Stockwood on October 6 at 8.15am. A young girl was walking to school when she was followed by an unknown man.
"She ran into Imperial field and the male ran after her and tried to grab her bag.
"She managed to push away the man with some force and he ran off in the direction of Ellesmere Road.
"Police are in contact with the victim and her family and would ask anyone with information to contact us on 101 or anonymously on Crimestoppers 0800 555111."
Comments
by Pud_Luver
Wednesday, October 19 2011, 7:15PM
“Well done Jade you are a mini warrior!!!!”
by gimjam
Tuesday, October 18 2011, 3:21PM
“Well done Jade, very brave and quick... Keep up the training!
I agree with Sashalu, Martial arts or a little self defence should be taught in PE!!!”
by R3al1ty_Ch3ck
Tuesday, October 18 2011, 11:53AM
“Excellent job for the young girl!! Wish I had taken lessons early, and my kids will certainly have them!
What is really disgustingly sad is that we all know a grown man wasn't after an 11-yr old girl for her school rucksack, and yet the police will insist on this being 'attempted robbery' (which is their ridiculous guess!) rather than up the severity on catching what is obviously a sexual predator. Men don't try to grab little girls in quiet country lanes for the contents of their pencil case or their maths homework! You don't need to be Sherlock Holmes to figure that out dumbo police! Poor little Sarah Payne – you forget her so easily and all her mother (and others) has done since her life was snatched away.
But awfully this is too familiar for many people – I was accosted by two men when I was a teenager and luckily I got away; the police insisted and insisted they probably wanted to rob me, when I didn't even have a bag with me! All I had in my hand was my front door keys and a keyring which was a small blade for protection (which was legal at the time, but illegal now to carry – though not unlawful I might add if you go about it the right way!). The men told me to 'get in the effing car' and when I ran they got out and made chase, even through gardens to catch me. When I threatened to use my blade the biggest guy hesitated and by then a group of people up the road had seen the commotion and began shouting, which also helped me to escape. But one of the policemen said to me, 'he told you to get in the car aggressively, but he didn't say "or else" so it's not really a threat.' – Evil man calling himself a policeman. The two policemen dealing with my report (which was hardly treated as one) didn't care, they didn't want descriptions of the men but took my description of their car. But there was one PC who later got in touch with me. He warned me that the men I'd described had been arrested following the abduction and assault of a minor:( and they lived in my borough, but I wouldn't be called to press charges. I was disgusted, I knew what they planned to do to me, and I knew what they managed to do to a child because they didn't take my report for what it was. But the police aren't all Catholic (I mean BAD!), but there are quite a few so-called police who don't give a damn and just don't want the paperwork or their targets increased. The police who are happy to go to sleep at night when they didn't - but could have - prevent a child being raped, tortured, given aids, murdered, will go to a place equal to that as we know to be Hell. What goes around comes around! But as I said, their are many police who are very good indeed.”
by Sashalu
Tuesday, October 18 2011, 11:11AM
“Well done, Jade - what a very brave girl!
Makes me think that perhaps martial arts should be taught at schools during games or PE lessons.”
by weneedavoice
Monday, October 17 2011, 3:26PM
“Perhaps teaching martial arts in school may be more use than the old fashioned activities?
Well done young lady, may this episode not affect your life for long.”
by jumin
Monday, October 17 2011, 3:23PM
“I think the school should teach self defence for the pupils and staff”
by Morrissey9
Monday, October 17 2011, 3:03PM
“"But sadly, he'll probably try to press charges for being hit by this brave girl & knowing this countries law system, He'll win & she'll get locked up for 100 years"
In tabloid cuckoo land, maybe. In reality, you are perfectly allowed to defend yourself with reasonable force. Which she did.”
by John_Name
Monday, October 17 2011, 2:08PM
“Well done indeed! Brave girl!”
by holycowbatman
Monday, October 17 2011, 1:45PM
“Good on ya girl! Hope they catch the pervert before he tries to attack again. But sadly, he'll probably try to press charges for being hit by this brave girl & knowing this countries law system, He'll win & she'll get locked up for 100 years.”
by jumin
Monday, October 17 2011, 1:05PM
“Most robbers would not want to steal a school childs rucksack that would probably contain books, homework and pack lunch - this is clearly something more sinister - when in this situation fight back and scream loudly tends to work - cool girl, well done”