A MODEST hero who was forced out of his home by gangs of yobs was honoured for his bravery yesterday.
Ritchie Whitfield's life was threatened after he helped police tackle a youth disorder problem on the Biddick Hall estate in South Shields, South Tyneside.
The school caretaker stood his ground, despite suffering broken windows and verbal abuse.
The threats against the 54-year-old and his family were so serious that they were forced to leave Biddick Hall Junior School, in Chesterton Road, South Shields.
Yesterday, Mr Whitfield received the Silver Police Provincial Award at the Association of Chief Police Officers' summer conference at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.
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