Stab attack rescue girl honoured

A girl who saved her mother's life by disarming her knife-wielding father has received a bravery award.

Rebecca Mayhew was 11 when she stepped in to help her mother at their home in County Durham in November 2007.

John Mayhew, then 49, had stabbed his ex-wife Ailsa a number of times when Rebecca fought with him and forced him to drop the knife.

She was presented with a gold medal at the Police Public Bravery Awards in Manchester on Wednesday.

Mayhew, who was depressed and an alcoholic, attacked his wife when she told him she had found a new partner.

There is no doubt that Rebecca's actions saved her mother's life Durham Chief Constable Jon Stoddart

After seeing her mother being stabbed in the chest, Rebecca jumped on her father's back and covered his nose and mouth to stop him breathing.

When he dropped the weapon she threw it outside, then prevented him from grabbing another knife by slamming his hand in a kitchen drawer.

Her mother escaped while the schoolgirl, who suffered cuts to her hands, held Mayhew back.

Durham's Chief Constable, Jon Stoddart, said: "There is no doubt that Rebecca's actions saved her mother's life.

"Her courage in the face of such violence was simply extraordinary. It was a selfless act that is an example to us all and this award is well deserved."

Mayhew, of Barnard Castle, was jailed for 12 years in May 2008 after admitting attempted murder at Teesside Crown Court.