Martial arts student Julian Raffle blocks punches from Richard Burbage before holding him until police arrive

Purple belt Julian Raffle, who studies the ancient art of jiu-jitsu, used his experience to subdue an irate Richard Burbage, the man at the centre of a police and trading standards probe over complaints about second- hand cars.

As previously reported, a row erupted between 41-year-old Burbage and his wife Lorraine at the KFC restaurant in Hedge End.

When Mr Raffle attempted to intervene Burbage tried to attack him – but had his two upper cuts blocked.

Mr Raffle said he then grappled him to the ground using jiu-jitsu moves to subdue him until the police arrived.

Burbage, of Thyme Avenue, Whiteley, pleaded guilty at Southampton Magistrates Court to a charge of common assault after the incident on November 30 last year and was ordered to pay £320 in fines and costs.

The Daily Echo can reveal father-of-three Mr Raffle, of Peel Lane, Northam, only took up the martial art after he was the victim of a terrifying knifepoint robbery two years ago.

Mr Raffle, a washing machine engineer, was on a family trip to KFC with his partner Katrina Krajczewski and sons Eric, 12, Lucas, eight, and Charlie, five when he witnessed the Burbages arguing loudly before they were asked to leave.

He said the row continued outside the restaurant and “the volume and language got worse”.

Mr Raffle said: “I said to them: ‘You can’t do this here’ but he stepped toe to toe with me and he put his nose about a centimetre into mine.

He said: ‘I’m not scared of you’ and he swung a right roundhouse punch.”

Mr Raffle said he blocked two punches from Burbage before getting him into an arm lock and holding him on the ground until the police arrived.

He added: “My mind was going like a freight train. I was turning off the thoughts in my head about what I could do to him.

“I knew exactly where I had put him. The previous week I had won gold and silver medals at a national competition.

“He said: ‘You don’t know who I am’ and then said he had a heart condition.

“The police arrived and he was arrested. He definitely messed with the wrong bloke.”

Burbage is at the centre of a police and trading standards investigation following complaints over second-hand vehicles which saw a number of angry customers raise concerns alleging they had been sold vehicles that were not roadworthy.

He, along with fellow car dealer Stan Rudgley (pictured on right) , 31, was detained by police earlier this month.

Mr Raffle, 42, started training with Southampton Jiu-Jitsu Club after he was held at knife point by teenager Reece Middle-ton outside his home.

Middleton, then 19, pulled out a carving knife on Mr Raffle and fled with more than £1,000. He was jailed for five years in April 2013 after being found guilty of robbery.

Mr Raffle said: “I was told by a soldier that if you ever get in trouble what you want to learn is traditional jiu-jitsu. I did and here I am.”

Reporter Rory McKeown (pictured) tells how he was brought to the ground by Julian Raffle's fast moves

"IT has been more than a decade since I last took karate lessons but seeing Julian Raffle in his jiu-jitsu gi - the traditional name for a training uniform - brought the teachings flooding back.

"I achieved black belt level after years of training but admittedly my skills are rustier than a scrap metal heap.

"I wanted to see just how he subdued Richard Burbage during their encounter last year and took the role of the controversial car dealer.

"As I moved my right arm towards me, Mr Raffle blocked it and held onto my chest with his right arm.

"I was locked in and there was nothing I could do about it.

"With one swift move I was on the floor and Mr Raffle was on top of me with an arm lock that would make even the biggest men submit.

"It wasn't dangerous but showed the discipline that's needed to defend yourself as safely as possible when the situation arises."