Northumbria officers honoured after fighting off violent man armed with samurai sword and gun

Officers from Northumbria Police will be honoured for their bravery tonight - after two fought off a violent man armed with a samurai sword and a handgun.

In February 2016, PC Gary Sharpe and PC Vicki Threadgold were called out to a domestic violence incident in the Springwell area of Gateshead where a woman had been assaulted.

PC Threadgold removed the female victim from danger who was very emotional and vulnerable at the time.

Both officers were then confronted by her drunk and aggressive partner who was threatening them from behind a child safety gate at the top of the stairs.

The offender – who was known to have a history of violence – encouraged his two Staffordshire bull terriers and a German shepherd to attack the officers.

He then brandished a large samurai sword but PC Sharpe was able to stay calm and eventually persuaded him to put down.

The man dropped the weapon but suddenly produced what appeared to be a black metal handgun which he pointed at PC Sharpe’s face.

With quick thinking, PC Sharpe was able to pull his CS spray before he successfully disarmed and restrained the violent man while PC Threadgold came to his aid.

The offender was eventually jailed for a year after being convicted of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear or violence in June of last year.

Now they have been nominated for a national Police Bravery Award and will be getting all glammed up for the ceremony in London tonight.

Ahead of the awards, Gary said:

“I am honoured to have been nominated for a Police Bravery Award tonight. I feel proud of myself and Vicki that we’ve been recognised but we were just doing our job.

“When you’re dealing with something like that, the adrenaline does kick in. But I know that the incredible people I work with would have done the same thing if they were in my shoes.”

Vicki, who now works in Safeguarding, said:

“I’m over the moon to be up for an award alongside Gary tonight.

“Even if we don’t win, I am proud knowing that we were able to get the woman out of a very dangerous situation before things escalated any further.”

Northumbria Police Chief Constable, Winton Keenan, said:

“I am incredibly proud of our PCs, Gary and Vicki, who showed tremendous courage when dealing with such a dangerous and unpredictable incident.

“I’d like to congratulate them both – they’re a credit to our Force and thoroughly deserved to be recognised for their outstanding police work.”