Royal awards for staff who stopped school attacker

Molly and Alicia were also presented with judge's commendations last year

School support staff who intervened when a former student attacked a pupil with broken glass have been awarded King's Commendations for Bravery.

Youth worker Molly Bulmer and receptionist Alicia Richards stepped in when Louis Melotte, 17 at the time, attacked a 12-year-old girl at Birley Academy in Sheffield.

Twenty Gallantry Awards have been announced, including a George Medal given posthumously to Grace O'Malley-Kumar, 19, who was stabbed to death while trying to protect a friend during an attack in Nottingham.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "In moments of unimaginable danger, these extraordinary people acted with selflessness and bravery that speaks to the very best of who we are as a nation."

He said each of them had shown "true courage" and they were owed "our deepest thanks".

Melotte entered the school on 1 May 2024 with shards of glass, planning to carry out a violent attack, and launched an assault on a girl in the reception area.

Louis Melotte was found guilty of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent following a trial

Ms Bulmer apprehended him and was struck with the glass at least 10 times.

Ms Richards helped to restrain the boy until police arrived, stopping him from moving further into the school.

They each suffered minor injuries, with both saying they had thought they were going to die during the attack.

They received Judge's Certificates of Commendation last year on behalf of the Recorder of Sheffield Judge Jeremy Richardson, who had overseen the trial.

He praised them for their "public-spirited intervention".

"You didn't stand back but instead intervened in a very courageous manner without a thought for your own safety," he said.

Det Ch Insp Andy Knowles of South Yorkshire Police previously said their actions had saved the community from "the most unimaginable tragedy", and said he was "truly humbled" by their courage.

Melotte, now 18, of Jaunty Avenue in Sheffield, was found guilty of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court in August 2024.

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

He was handed a 10-year extended sentence comprising five years in a young offender institution and an extended licence period of five years.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North