by Paul Hooper

Two Deal heroes – who helped save the life of a man dying from stab wounds – have been praised as “modern day Good Samaritans”.

Jack Keeley – who was just 14 at the time – and Matthew McCaughan (pictured above) came across the badly injured victim as he lay bleeding in the street.

But the two – who didn’t know each other at the time – refused to “pass by on the other side” but went to the aid of Graeme Beechey in 2011 – a judge has revealed.

Jack, now 16 (pictured below), of Miller Close and Mr McCaughan, of Cowper Road, have now returned to Canterbury Crown Court to receive bravery awards from the High Sheriff of Kent.

The victim, Mr Beechey who had been stabbed in the chest on Boxing Day, cried out to them, saying: “I’m dying..I am slipping away”.

It was then that the courageous duo helped stem the blood until paramedics arrived and took him to hospital.

Judge James O’Mahony – who had been the trial judge at the trial – told how Mr Beechey was on the ground “lying stricken and stabbed on the streets of Deal”.

“These two were passing by...but they didn’t pass by on the other side of the road.

"They could have thought: 'Well, it's got nothing to do with me. I don’t want to get involved... maybe the attacker will come back.’

“But they didn’t. They kept calm and did the right thing. They covered the man, staunched the wound and weren’t put off by the copious amount of blood that was around.

"And then they gave precise information to the emergency services. Then they kept the man talking until he could be treated.

“This would not have happened without the Samaritan actions from these two men. This award isn’t about the money but about the honour.”

"they kept calm and did the right thing. they covered the man, staunched the wound and weren’t put off by the copious amount of blood that was around" – judge james o'mahony

Mr McCaughan later told police: “After the incident, I called my dad. I was in a state, crying. I was very shocked. The incident left me shaken and I was unable to sleep”

Senior judge at Canterbury Adele Williams said often the courts had to hear about “acts of great violence, greed and sometimes, plain wickedness”.

She added: “It is always refreshing to see people acting really well in demanding situations.”

Jake’s father, Martin later said: “I am so proud of my son. When he came home covered in blood I was shocked.

“As a caring dad my instincts would have been to tell him to stay away from violent incidents, but he is a great lad and showed just what he is made of. “