THIS is the moment an Apprentice star bravely leapt into action and helped stop a “psychotic” knifeman on a rampage.
Sohail Chowdray, who starred in series 17 of the show, heroically intervened as Azzedvie Mahmoudi, 46, started attacking shoppers with a kitchen knife.
A crazed Mahmoudi was armed with two kitchen knives when he started attacking members of the public outside an Aldi.
Two people were injured and children were forced to flee as the knifeman is seen brandishing the weapons.
Video footage shows Mr Chowdhary, 31, a martial arts instructor distracting Mahmoudi by throwing things at him and warning nearby pedestrians of the danger.
Mr Chowdhary encountered the knifeman on the street and heroically started to help, even pulling a man for safety as Mahmoudi lunged at him.
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Mahmoudi was jailed today for two years and six months for his 20 minute rampage in an Aldi car park, at 12.40pm on August 3 last year in Southampton.
The former maths teacher, with a degree in aerospace, had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia but stopped taking his medication making him “floridly psychotic”.
Southampton Crown Court heard how the Mahmoudi was experiencing “persecutory” hallucinations which made him think the “ordinary passersby” were trying to attack him.
He was jailed for inflicting serious but non-life threatening injuries on two people and for attempting to assault a further five.
Shocking footage shows a driver attempting to hit Mahmoudi with his car after he realised what he was doing, but Mr Chowdhary urged the motorist to stop.
The TV star finally managed to wave down police cars and direct them to Mahmoudi before they arrested him.
Another man tried to use his shopping trolley to stop Mahmoudi, said Matthew Lawson, prosecuting.
“He tried to run but tripped on a bollard and [Mahmoudi] stabbed at him, but he was pulled to safety by Mr Chowdhary.
“Mr Chowhdary followed [Mahmoudi] to try to help people.
“They reached Empress Road when Mahmoudi attacked someone else.
“He ran away and was followed by Mr Chowdhary. Someone driving their car attempted to drive into [Mahmoudi] but Mr Chowdhary told them not to do that.”
“He shouted at people warning them to run away.
“The police arrived with tasers and [Mahmoudi] was told to drop the knives on the ground. He complied.”
Mr Chowdhary was a contestant on season 17 of The Apprentice which aired in 2023.
Prior to the show he told the BBC he “dedicated to looking out for the little guy”.
Mr Chowdhray also said: “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.”
DC Ryan Mitchell, investigating officer, said Mr Chowdhray’s quick-thinking was “heroic”.
He 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.”
Judge William Mousley KC said to the attacker today: “You had schizophrenia. That is a life long condition which needed and continues to need comprehensive treatment.
“You decided against medical advice to stop taking your medication which made your schizophrenia relapse.
“You stopped because of your side effects but you thought you could manage without it. You were not aware of the consequences.
“You were floridly psychotic and experiencing persecutory hallucinations at the time of the offences and this reduces your culpability.”
Mahmoudi admitted to two counts of unlawful wounding, one count of affray and two counts of possession of a bladed article.
