A US judge has been hailed as a hero after tackling a crazed defendant in his own courtroom.

John Charles Reasea was in court to be sentenced for breaching a restraining order against his ex-girlfriend. When Judge Ian Richards announced that he would be going to jail, Reasea lunged towards his ex-girlfriend and tried to attack her. Like some well-briefed superhero Judge Richards vaulted the bench and, robes flowing, took a flying leap onto the defendant.

Reasea's ex-girlfriend broke free and was ushered out of the courtroom, whilst Reasea himself was restrained. The event was captured on courtroom camera - check it out below:

 Reasea now also faces the additional charges of domestic battery and resisting arrest. Meanwhile Judge Richards denied he'd done anything heroic, merely stating he hoped it would "never happen again". Or at least not until pants over tights is official judicial garb.