A BRAVE mum has been honoured for protecting an injured police officer after he was assaulted.

Fiona Evans, 50, of North Kelsey, near Market Rasen, helped a Lincolnshire Police sergeant when his leg was fractured as he tried to arrest a drunken and violent man.

Mrs Evans left her home to help Sgt Gavin Renshaw, 45, who was lying partly in the road, by giving him first aid and preventing him from going into shock.

She then remained by his side to protect him from the man, who kept returning. She also stopped traffic in the road.

Mrs Evans helped the prosecution – despite being subjected to some intimidation.

Richard Dawson admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm in March last year and was jailed for six months at Lincoln Crown Court.

As reported, officers were called to an incident at the Royal Oak pub. Dawson, from North Kelsey, wrote a letter of apology to Sgt Renshaw.

Mrs Evans was presented with a Silver Award for her bravery and dedication to civic duty at the National Police Public Bravery Awards in Manchester last night.

A total of 67 awards were presented to members of the public during a ceremony, as part of the Association of Chief Police Officer's Summer Conference.

"I'd like to think I did what any normal person would have done and helped somebody in need," said Mrs Evans.

"I heard a commotion outside and I thought at first it may be somebody breaking into my daughter's car as there had been an attempt two weeks before.

"When I got out I saw two officers trying to arrest the man and then they fell on top of the sergeant.

"I knew his leg was injured and he was partly in the road on a sharp bend, so I rushed inside and got a blanket and stayed with him to make sure he stayed warm and safe.

"I didn't think about my own safety at the time but, in hindsight, I realise the man involved could have become aggressive at any point."

Sgt Renshaw was off work for seven months and is still receiving treatment for his injury – a double fracture, which needed pins to repair it.

Insp Rod Brant, sector inspector for Market Rasen, said: "Mrs Evans is an extremely brave member of the public, who came to the aid of a police sergeant when he suffered attack and serious injury.

"He is currently still receiving treatment for his injury.

"All too often people do not want to become involved.

"It is to her credit that Fiona did, and probably prevented the sergeant from receiving more serious injuries."