Convicted killer among heroes of Fish Trade attack honored for bravery

Stephen Gallant was one of four men who confronted the convicted terrorists Usman Khan until armed police arrived at the scene in November 2019.

Khan, who had two large knives and a fake death belt, wounded Cambridge graduates Jack Merritt25 and Saskia Jones, 23, injured three other people before running onto London Bridge.

Mr Gallant, John Creeley, Darin Frost and Lukasz Kochoczyk appear on this year’s list of civic bravery, the latter of which was endorsed by the late Queenafter stepping in to confront the attacker.

Ex-prisoner Mr. Creeley doused Han with a fire extinguisher and communications manager Mr. Frost poked Han with a narwhal tusk, knocking him off balance.

Mr Gallant then tackled Khan to the ground where the three restrained him until armed police arrived.

It came after Mr Kachoczyk used a long ceremonial pike taken from the walls of the Grade II listed building to disarm Khan.

Mr Gallant, one of two men convicted of murdering Barry Jackson in Hull in 2005, was out on license for the first time when the incident happened.

Each will receive a Queen’s Medal for Bravery.

Prison officer Adam Roberts, who accompanied Mr Gallant to the event on the day of his release, also appears on the list, having provided first aid to Ms Jones after she was stabbed.

Mr Roberts told the Pennsylvania News Agency: “I feel kind of mixed, it’s very hard to celebrate when it happened for something that had such a bad outcome.

“It ended up that Saskia literally died in front of me while we were trying to keep her alive, so it’s really hard for me to celebrate when I think about her.

“It’s very important that everyone who has contributed is recognized in some way.”

Also on the 15-strong list is 88-year-old church bell ringer John Rees, who was killed when he tried to stop a mentally ill woman carrying out a knife attack at the Co-op store on May 5, 2020.

Zara Radcliffe, who has schizophrenia, stabbed and clubbed him with two wine bottles and a fire extinguisher during the attack in Pen Y Greig, Rhondda, South Wales.

Lisa Way and Ayette Boonuri, who were in the store at the time, were also recognized for their role in helping to confront Radcliffe.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden said: “We all hope that we will respond courageously in the face of danger. These people lived through this ordeal and responded to it in the most wonderful way.

“Their selfless actions saved lives and I want to express my deepest gratitude for their willingness to put themselves in harm’s way to protect others.

“They are all extremely worthy recipients of Her Majesty the late Queen’s recent bravery awards.”