School workers who intervened in attack honoured

Alicia Richards (left) and Molly Bulmer (right) were presented with Judge’s Certificates of Commendation

Two school workers who apprehended a teenager who wielded a shard of broken glass have been commended for their "selfless and heroic actions".

Louis Melotte, who was 17 at the time, attacked a 12-year-old girl at the Birley Academy in Sheffield on 1 May, before turning on youth worker Molly Bulmer and receptionist Alicia Richards when they intervened.

Ms Bulmer and Ms Richards were presented with Judge’s Certificates of Commendation on behalf of Judge Jeremy Richardson, who oversaw Melotte's trial at Sheffield Crown Court.

Det Ch Insp Andy Knowles of South Yorkshire Police said they showed "incredible bravery" as they "put themselves in harm's way to protect the children".

Ms Bulmer, who was working in the school that day as a youth engagement worker, responded "without hesitation" to apprehend Melotte, with receptionist Ms Richards restraining him to allow the pupil and her friends to escape.

They suffered minor injuries and were able to hold Melotte until police arrived at the scene to arrest him.

In his commendation, Judge Richardson praised the pair for their "public-spirited intervention".

He said: "You didn’t stand back but instead intervened in a very courageous manner without a thought for you own safety.

"Your actions are deserving of high praise as they were in the best tradition of education."

Louis Melotte, who was 17 years old at the time, entered the school reception on 1 May with broken glass hidden up his sleeve before launching a frenzied attack on a 12-year-old pupil

Melotte, of Jaunty Avenue in Sheffield, was found guilty of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent following a trial in August.

He had previously pleaded guilty to taking a bladed article into a school.

Melotte, who is now 18, was given a 10-year extended sentence comprising five years in a young offender institution and an extended licence period of five years.

Det Ch Insp Knowles, who presented Ms Bulmer and Ms Richards with their certificates alongside Det Con Tom Ryan, said: "The incident, which was captured on CCTV and has since been released to the public, shows how both of these women bravely faced some of the most extreme violence imaginable without any thought for their own safety.

"I have no doubts whatsoever that it was the actions of Ms Richards and Ms Bulmer that saved the community of Birley from what could have been the most unimaginable tragedy and I am truly humbled by their courage."

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