John Rees, Lisa Way and Ayette Bounouri

On 5 May 2020, John Rees, Lisa Way and Ayette Bounouri were shopping at the local CO-OP shop in Penygraig in the Rhondda, when Zara Radcliffe, a young woman suffering from schizophrenia, entered the shop with a knife, intent on harming people.

John, an 88-year-old pensioner and stalwart of the community, stepped in to try and stop her from attacking one shopper. In so doing, John was fatally injured. Lisa and Ayette came to John’s aid and to help prevent further attacks taking place. Lisa received serious stab wounds herself, thankfully not fatal. The young woman has since been given an indefinite hospital order.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark O’Shea of South Wales Police said that had it not been for the actions of John, Lisa and Ayette, more people could have been seriously injured or killed that day. He also described their actions as among the bravest acts he had come across in decades of policing.