Posthumous award for murdered girl

The stabbing took place at Cafe Society in Belfast

A Belfast teenager who was stabbed to death as she was saving the life of her employer has been posthumously awarded the George Medal.

Eliza Ward, 18, from east Belfast was fatally stabbed in the chest after she confronted a kitchen porter attacking the female owner of a city centre restaurant in July 1997.

The George Medal is the second highest civilian gallantry award.

On Wednesday, her family received the award at Buckingham Palace for their daughter's bravery.

Eliza Ward saved life of her employer

Her mother Alana said it was a proud and emotional day which they hoped in time would help the whole family get over Eliza's death.

She said: "We are very pleased that our daughter was acknowledged for her bravery.

"It means a lot to us. We are very proud of Eliza."

Miss Ward, from Madrid Street, tackled the porter after he had stabbed her boss in the back during a violent confrontation in an upstairs laundry area of the Cafe Society restaurant.

The kitchen porter had gone upstairs because the area was flooded by a leaking washing machine.

As Miss Ward tried to restrain the porter, he removed the six-inch knife from the restaurant owner's back and stabbed her with it.

Despite this, she maintained her hold on him but was stabbed again, this time in the chest. She collapsed and later died in hospital.

The owner of the restaurant, who suffered a serious injury, later recoverd.

The porter, Gerard Stewart, 23, from Belfast was caught by staff.

He was jailed for life for Miss Ward's murder.