HERO plasterer Steven McDonald thought Simon Safe was dead when he saw the wound in his neck left when the 50-year-old stabbed himself with a food processor blade.

Steven, 30, and childhood friend Rich Fox, 31, had gone to the aid of Safe’s ex-partner after they spotted her being attacked in a car in May 2018. The woman was stabbed in the neck and her eyes were bruised from where Safe had tried to gouge them.

The pair ran from their homes when they heard the woman’s screams. They tore the car keys from the ignition and managed to lock the man in the car. Together with a passing nurse, Steven and Rich looked after the woman until police arrived.

The men’s heroics were among the feats of bravery celebrated at Wiltshire Police’s awards ceremony last night.

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More than 30 officers, police staff, volunteers and members of the public were picked out for special mention and commendation. Three investigations, including the probe into how mortuary footage of tragic football ace Emiliano Sala ended up online, were also recognised at the ceremony.

Addressing a crowd of award winners, dignitaries and guests, Chief Constable Kier Pritchard praised the dedication, professionalism and contribution of officers and staff – particularly those who had gone above and beyond to keep the county safe.

He said: “Policing is challenging, but despite the pressures we carry on. We investigate some of the most complex crimes. We run into danger. And we continue to make sure the service we provide to the public on a day-to-day basis continues uninterrupted.”

He highlighted the part played by volunteers: “We would be lost without the support of our special constables and the volunteers who dedicate so many hours to us.”

And Wiltshire’s top cop praised those members of the public who “without a thought of their own safety had stepped in when others needed their help”.

Steven and Rich were two such heroes.

The pair came to the rescue of a woman, 50s, in May 2018 after she was stabbed by ex Safe.

The man had injured himself and his former partner agreed to drive him to his parents’ home. On the way there, Safe launched the ferocious attack – also grabbing hold of the steering wheel and causing the car to crash on Norfolk Road, Salisbury.

Rich, a groundworker, said: “I looked out of my window. Some bloke was attacking a girl in a car. All I heard was screaming for help.”

Pal Steven: “He had hold of her by the throat. Our first instinct was to get her out. When he stabbed himself in the neck I thought he’d killed himself.” The sight of Safe’s bloodied neck still haunts him.

Asked why they had put themselves in harm’s way, Rich said: “It’s just human nature. I don’t like women beaters.”

Safe was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court in August to indefinite detention in a secure hospital after pleading guilty to GBH and possession of a bladed article.