A STALYBRIDGE man has been recognised with a King’s Gallantry Medal after heroically stopping an attack.
Richard O’Brien intervened when he saw a man stabbing a woman on the street in the London area of Barnet.
Now his actions, all done unarmed, have seen him receive the award given ’to civilians for acts of exemplary bravery.’
Mr O’Brien’s act on September 21, 2021, started as he was driving alone along Wood Street and saw two people arguing aggressively.
Having stopped his car and saw that a man was stabbing a woman, he drove forward to distract the attacker, then stopped, exited and attempted to verbally subdue the assailant.
He then approached and kicked him, successfully stopping the brutal assault.
Mr O’Brien then managed to immobilise the attacker by kicking his face, knocking him to the ground and the knife out of his hands.
He then dragged him away from the knife and held him face down to the ground until police officers arrived.
Mr O’Brien’s citation adds: “Without the intervention of Mr O’Brien, the victim would likely have lost her life.
“His actions went well beyond detaining a dangerous attacker – he bravely used force to prevent a savage and sustained knife attack.
“The victim was later taken to hospital in a life-threatening condition.”
Mr O’Brien went to what is now Copley Academy and lives in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.