A heroic teenager who stepped in to protect a victim of rape has been honoured with a bravery award.

Kate Carr was on the phone to her friend while walking near to Oakley Park in Stanley last September when she heard cries coming from nearby trees.

Kate, who was just 14 at the time, went to investigate and found a girl sitting in the mud facing away from her. She was half dressed and clearly distressed.

Kate asked if she was okay but the girl did not turn around or reply.

It was then that she noticed a man standing just in front of the young girl with his back turned towards Kate.

Realising something was seriously wrong, Kate quickly ended her phone call and ran over to the girl.

As she did this, the man made off.

The girl told Kate she had been raped by the man, with Kate escorting her to safety and promptly called the police.

An investigation was launched and the suspect was quickly identified.

He pleaded guilty at Durham Crown Court in December 2021 and received an 11-year custodial sentence.

Miss Carr was honoured at this year’s National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Police and Public Bravery Awards, which recognises courageous and selfless acts to help protect others and where people have actively assisted police.

Assistant Chief Constable Tonya Antonis, from Durham Constabulary, accompanied Kate at the awards on Monday night (November 28) where she collected a gold medal for her efforts.

ACC Antonis said: “It was an honour to attend the awards alongside Kate who has shown immense compassion and bravery in not only safeguarding the victim but helping put a very dangerous offender behind bars.

“County Durham and Darlington is a wonderful place because of its people who are always willing to help and often put themselves in harms way for the safety of others, often strangers who they have never met before.

“I’m delighted Kate has been given the recognition she deserves in what would have been a very traumatic experience for the victim, she should be very proud of herself.”

Read next: 

Shop worker's robbery trauma ended in him stealing £10,000 in lottery tickets

Man dies and 6 arrested in connection with incident outside North East property

Family's desperate bid to get mum home after she fell ill on holiday in Turkey

If you want to read more stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here