A teenager has been presented with Greater Manchester Police’s District Superintendent’s Award for Bravery for prizing a 12-inch blade off a man in a Salford park.
Callum Matts, 18, was in a Cadishead park with friends when they spotted a masked man advancing towards them.
The attacker – who was later named as Mathieu Lucas – fell to the ground.
Callum and his friends stood on the attacker’s wrist causing the knife to fall. They then called the police.
He recalled: “We were just chatting and listening to music when one of my friends said he saw a weird looking man.
“I turned around to see a man dressed all in black, wearing a clown mask and holding a big kitchen knife.
“The park was dimly lit and visibility wasn’t great. Then the man started running towards us.
“I managed to get my legs from under the bench and get to my feet when he swung the blade towards my abdomen. I reacted instinctively and grabbed the arm that the knife was in and tackled him to the floor.”
Callum says the award means a lot to him. He said: “I feel as if I made a difference that night. It could have ended badly for anyone else he may have encountered, and a lot worse for me and my friends.
“A young man came up to me afterwards and said: ‘You didn’t have to do that – you saved my life’. Apparently, he had been threatened by the man before he encountered us.”
District Superintendent for GMP, Andrew Sidebotham said: “Callum is a remarkably brave young man. Thinking only of those around him, he took control of the situation and safely detained the male ensuring he couldn’t cause any harm to anyone. He instructed those present to call the police and remained at the scene until officers arrived and arrested the male.
“This was an incredibly serious and violent incident and as a consequence the offender received a significant custodial sentence.
“I was delighted to present Callum with this award as he truly deserved it for the selfless bravery that night. He is an absolute credit to his family, community and University.”
Lucas was sentenced to two years and four months in prison after he pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm with the intent to cause fear or violence; and to threatening with a blade.
Image credit: Greater Manchester Police
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