Dramatic video footage has captured the moment a former Apprentice star courageously intervened to stop a 'floridly psychotic' knifeman who was randomly attacking shoppers on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Southampton.
Chaotic Scene on Bevois Valley Road
The terrifying incident unfolded on August 3, 2025, when Azzeddine Mahmoudi, a former mathematics teacher with a degree in aerospace engineering, armed himself with two kitchen knives and began attacking members of the public in the Bevois Valley Road area. The attack occurred between 12:40 and 1:00 pm, creating panic among pedestrians who were simply going about their weekend business.
Heroic Actions Prevent Tragedy
Television personality Sohail Chowdhary, who featured in series 17 of The Apprentice, found himself at the scene and immediately sprang into action. The martial arts instructor demonstrated remarkable bravery by distracting the armed assailant, running alongside him, throwing objects to divert his attention, and urgently warning nearby pedestrians to flee to safety.
Chowdhary's intervention proved crucial when he prevented a driver from attempting to run Mahmoudi over with a vehicle. The reality TV star instead directed the motorist away from such dangerous action and later successfully flagged down approaching police vehicles, pointing officers directly toward the knifeman to facilitate his arrest.
Mental Health Crisis Unfolds
The court heard that Mahmoudi had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia but had stopped taking his prescribed medication against medical advice. This decision led to a severe psychotic relapse, during which he experienced 'persecutory' hallucinations that made him believe ordinary passersby were attempting to harm him.
Prosecutor Matthew Lawson detailed how one brave member of the public used a shopping trolley to create distance from the attacker, while Chowdhary continued to follow Mahmoudi through the streets, pulling one victim to safety after he tripped during the chaotic confrontation.
Violent Confrontation and Injuries
During his rampage, Mahmoudi inflicted serious but non-life-threatening injuries on two men. The first victim suffered cuts to his head and arm, while the second man sustained hand injuries when he attempted to assist the initial victim. Five additional people were targeted in attempted assaults during the frightening episode.
Striking footage from the incident shows Mahmoudi frantically waving a long kitchen knife at pedestrians, creating a scene of terror that lasted approximately twenty minutes before police intervention.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
At Southampton Crown Court, Judge William Mousley KC sentenced Mahmoudi to two-and-a-half years imprisonment after the defendant admitted two counts of unlawful wounding, one count of affray, and two counts of possession of a bladed article.
The judge acknowledged Mahmoudi's mental health condition, stating: 'You had schizophrenia. That is a lifelong condition which needed and continues to need comprehensive treatment. You decided against medical advice to stop taking your medication which made your schizophrenia relapse.'
Praise for Civilian Bravery
Investigating officer DC Ryan Mitchell offered high praise for Chowdhary's actions, describing them as 'heroic' and crediting the television personality and other brave members of the public with preventing more serious harm or potential fatalities.
'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,' DC Mitchell stated.
Hampshire Constabulary confirmed that officers used incapacitant spray to subdue Mahmoudi before making the arrest, during which they discovered a second, smaller knife in his possession.
Background of the Hero
In the lead-up to his appearance on The Apprentice, Sohail Chowdhary had told the BBC about his dedication to protecting vulnerable people. 'I am dedicated to looking out for the little guy,' he explained, adding: 'I am calm and collected, but if they do come at me? I will bite and I will sting, and I will leave my mark.'
His words proved prophetic during the Southampton incident, where his martial arts training and quick thinking helped contain a dangerous situation until law enforcement could arrive and take control.
