Two people have been given awards for their bravery in helping the victims of violent attacks.

Chatham pizza delivery driver Ali Samivand and Ramsgate woman Clare Breakspear received their High Sheriff of Kent Awards for Bravery at Canterbury Crown Court.

Mr Samivand, 35, had been working near to where murder victim Michael Tierney had been beaten to death with a pickaxe handle last June.

It was, according to the prosecuting barrister, an “utterly senseless” killing, in Haig Avenue, Chatham.

But Judge Adele Williams praised Mr Samivand for his conspicuous courage when others nearby had failed to react.

The judge said he had acted with kindness and compassion and behaved like the Good Samaritan and not crossed over the road.

She said: “Those actions restore our faith in humanity, when we in court see on a daily basis, greed, violence, destruction and wrongdoing.”

The judge said Mr Samivand had been going about his business delivering pizzas when he drove down Haig Avenue in Chatham.

“He saw a man lying on the pavement and saw he had blood all over his face and lying face down," she said.

“He stopped and went to the man, who gave one of his last breaths, and he rang 999 and summoned help. But then he stayed with the victim until the police and paramedics arrived."

The judge said Mr Samivand had the courage to respond to the dying man when other people in the area had not gone to the victim’s assistance. “He is an example to us all,” she added.

“Those actions restore our faith in humanity, when we in court see on a daily basis, greed, violence, destruction and wrongdoing” - Judge Adele Williams

Two men were later convicted of murder and manslaughter and received long jail sentences.

Mrs Breakspear, 34, received her award after going to the aid of a man stabbed in the neck.

She had been in a car in Ethelbert Gardens in Cliftonville in February 2015 when she witnessed a vicious attack.

People had been lying in wait in a van and attacked the victim as he walked past.

He was punched and kicked before a screwdriver was plunged into his neck, leaving him with what paramedics feared were life-threatening injuries.

But Mrs Breakspear, who had a distressed child and a vulnerable adult in the car at the time, then acted with “conspicuous courage”.

Judge Adele Williams said: “Despite all the violence going on around her, including people approaching the victim still armed with a screwdriver, she stayed and called the emergency services.

“She did this while at the time ensuring the safety of her child and the adult.

“ And when the defendants left the scene, she remained with the victim, giving him as much help as she could until paramedics arrived.

“She did not leave the scene as many would have done and showed courage, giving aid to the victim, who was in great need.”

Mrs Breakspear later gave evidence at the trial at Canterbury Crown Court, when the attackers were jailed.

The High Sheriff, William Alexander, told her that it was "a great pleasure to reward people for showing such courageous behaviour. Your family must be very proud of you”.