A Good Samaritan flagged down a passing police car after he witnessed a man put a crying woman in a headlock, a court heard.
The passing member of the public stopped Thomas Fox, 52, from causing any notable injuries to his victim in Manchester Road on Saturday when he intervened in the attack.
Crown prosecutor Keith Ballinger told Swindon Magistrates’ Court that the defendant was spotted harassing the woman whilst she shouted “leave me alone”.
After he removed items from her rucksack, she walked away. But soon after Fox walked up behind her and placed her in a headlock, described as a “sleeper hold” by the witness due to his use of his other hand to tightly lock in the hold.
He parked his car in Ponting Street and ran over to intervene in the assault, trying to pull the defendant off his victim. He told of how she was crying during the incident.
The Good Samaritan freed her from his hold before flagging down passing police officers.
The court heard Fox, of Bowleymead, Eldene, has a previous conviction for assault and possession of a knife from 2016.
Richard Williams, defending, said his client had drunk heavily on Saturday and denied the assault in a police interview due to suffering loss of memory.
But the defendant accepted he was responsible and pleaded guilty to assault by beating.
The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report. Fox will next appear on 8 June for sentencing.
