The bravery of Yorkshire cadet Alex Jeanguillaume who fought off a knife-wielding attacker has been recognised with the highest accolade it is possible for a young person to receive from the Royal Humane Society – its Presidents Award.
Alex Jeanguillaume, aged 16, pictured, is a cadet sergeant at Otley Detachment of Yorkshire (North and West) Army Cadet Force’s C Company.
She was with her friend Edwin Tosney in a park in the town when she was threatened by a man with a knife in the summer of 2019.
Knive threat
He ordered the teenagers to hand over their mobile phones, but they refused. When he motioned with a knife as if he was going to attack Edwin, Alex used her ju-jitsu skills to grab him and throw him to the ground.
Colonel Clint Riley, the Army Cadet Force’s Colonel Cadets, congratulated her for the award. He said:
“This is the greatest honour that the society can bestow on a young person. One award is made annually. Having read the circumstances behind the award and the incredible bravery shown by Cadet Sergeant Jeanguillaume in a very violent situation this is so well deserved. “