Have-a-go student honoured (From Oxford Mail)

Have-a-go student honoured

4:06pm Monday 20th October 2008 in News By Ellie Simmonds

Joseph Raimondo

A student who chased a burglar before rugby tackling him to the ground has been hailed a hero after receiving an award.

Joseph Raimondo was cycling to dinner at Lincoln College, Oxford, when he heard passer-by Dr Giulia Zanderighi shouting for help and running after burglar Jason Callaghan.

Dr Raimondo, 26, leapt on his bike and followed the burglar along Parks Road and South Parks Road before overtaking him and blocking his path.

Callaghan, who had been spotted burgling Wadham College minutes earlier, told Dr Raimondo he had a knife, swung at him, snatched the bike and tried to flee.

Undeterred by the threats, Dr Raimondo jumped on the burglar's back, pulled him off the bike and pinned him to the ground until police arrived.

Dr Raimondo, a qualified medical doctor currently studying for a PhD in neuroscience, was given an award by the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, Ian Inshaw.

'He definitely deserves this award. He is a great guy — a hero'

Pc Elaine Durham

Brigadier Inshaw said: "This is a wonderful story of a public-spirited citizen who saw an injustice and was determined to do something about it.

"He persisted until he had brought the offender to a position where he could be remanded by the police."

Judge Julian Hall recommended Dr Raimondo for the award after sentencing Callaghan to four years in jail in May. Callaghan admitted burgling Wadham College in February.

Dr Raimondo, who is originally from South Africa but now lives in Western Road, South Oxford, said: "I wasn't thinking terribly clearly. I was probably a little bit reckless."

Pc Elaine Durham, of Thames Valley Police, said: "Without Dr Raimondo's help we would never have caught Callaghan.

"He definitely deserves this award. He is a great guy — a hero."