A Canvey have-a-go hero has been given a bravery award for stepping in to stop an attack on a doctor.
Hero - Anthony Farnum helped prevent a doctor being robbed Picture: ROB BROWNE
Anthony Farnum, 23, didn't have to think twice about intervening when he saw two louts kick Dr Jaydeep Sinha in the head.
His bravery, and that of his best friend Stuart Levi, 21, was rewarded at a ceremony at Blackfriars Crown Court in London, when they received an award and £250 each.
Trial judge Linda Stern QC praised their "public-spirited" conduct, saying they had stopped an assault from continuing.
She said: "Mr Levi and Mr Farnum separated the victim from the assailants, risking serious injury."
Mr Farnum, of Borrett Avenue, was surprised to have been given the award at the ceremony on Thursday.
He said: "We didn't even know they did things like that."
The attempted robbery took place on July 1, 2003 when Dr Sinha was walking home after playing squash.
Mr Farnum, who works as a biomedical scientist at Basildon Hospital, said: "A police constable came out and spoke to us, to them and the doctor, and then they arrested them."
The trial took place in April, and both Mr Farnum and Mr Levi, a psychology student from Cuffley, Hertfordshire, were called as witnesses.
The two defendants, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, were each handed 120 hours' community punishment order for attempted robbery.
Mr Farnum said he will use his £250 reward money to clear his overdraft.
Published Tuesday May 25, 2004
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