Murderer who confronted London Bridge terror attacker honoured in Queen's final bravery awards

A convicted assassin who tackled a terrorist through the 2019 London Bridge assault is amongst these being awarded for his or her bravery.

Steven Gallant confronted terrorist Usman Khan as he carried out his assault at a jail schooling convention at Fishmongers’ Hall.

The assault occurred whereas Mr Gallant was on licence from jail after being one in all two males convicted of killing Barrie Jackson in Hull in 2005.

Khan murdered Cambridge graduates Jack Merritt, 25, and Saskia Jones, 23, and injured three different folks earlier than working on to London Bridge.

Another former prisoner, John Crilly, hosed Khan with a hearth extinguisher earlier than communications supervisor, Darryn Frost, jabbed him with a narwhal tusk, sending him off stability.

This got here after a fourth man, Lukasz Koczocik, used a ceremonial lengthy pike taken from the partitions of Grade II listed Fishmongers’ Hall to disarm the terrorist.

Mr Gallant, Mr Crilly, Mr Frost and Mr Koczocik all characteristic on this yr’s Civilian Gallantry listing, the final to be accepted by the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Prison officer Adam Roberts, who escorted Mr Gallant to the occasion on day launch, additionally options on the listing, having given first assist to Ms Jones after she was stabbed.

Read extra:
Harrowing accounts of Usman Khan’s lethal rampage
Man who fought off terrorist says authorities have ‘blood on their arms’

Mr Roberts mentioned that it was “really important” for everyone that contributed to be recognised in a roundabout way.

He mentioned: “I feel sort of mixed, it’s very difficult to celebrate when it’s for something that had an outcome that was so bad.

“It completed with Saskia actually dying in entrance of me as we tried to maintain her alive, so it is actually troublesome to have fun in any respect when my ideas are along with her.”

Also on the listing is John Rees who was killed as he tried to cease a mentally unwell girl finishing up a knife assault in a Co-op store in May 2020.

The 88-year-old was stabbed and bludgeoned with two wine bottles and a hearth extinguisher through the assault in South Wales.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Dowden, mentioned they have been all “extremely worthy winners”.

He mentioned: “We all hope we’d react with courage in the face of danger. These people have lived through that test, and responded in the most admirable way.

“Their selfless actions have saved lives, and I need to specific profound thanks for his or her willingness to place themselves at risk to guard others.”