A have-a-go hero who tried to save the life of Molly McLaren as her crazed ex-boyfriend repeatedly stabbed her in her car has been given an award for his bravery.

Ben Morton told the harrowing trial how he tried to slam the door on Joshua Stimpson’s leg to stop the frenzied attack at the Dockside Outlet in Chatham on June 29 last year.

When that failed, Mr Morton grabbed hold of the bare leg of the 26-year-old, but his hands slipped off because there was so much blood.

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Judge Adele Williams last month recommended Mr Morton for a commendation after sentencing Stimpson, of High Street, Wouldham, Rochester, to life with a minimum of 26 years, for murder.

The High Sheriff of Kent George Jessel presented the award and a cheque for £500 at Maidstone Crown Court earlier today.

Molly’s parents Jo and Doug McLaren were present to have the first opportunity to thank Mr Morton. They hugged after the award was presented.

Judge Williams recounted Mr Morton’s valiant efforts to save Molly.

“He realised nothing was going to stop the defendant and sadly Molly was already very critically injured,” she said. “He, therefore, moved his car to stop the defendant leaving the scene in the car.

“Mr Morton went to assist the police. Mr Morton displayed conspicuous courage and compassion on that day, and he is to be commended for his brave and bold actions.

“He behaved as we all wish we would do so in such circumstances, so I have awarded him a High Sheriff’s Award.

Mr Jessel praised Mr Morton, who lives in Wrotham, and another man receiving an award for their courage.

“It fills me with great pride and joy for two people to go out of their way when they could quite easily have turned on their heel and walked the other way to avoid the situation,” he said.

“You two are immensely brave. It is all too easy in this day and age to close one’s eyes, walk away and have nothing to do with it.

“Both of you went beyond the call of duty and stepped in to do something.”

Mr Jessel said he sat in court during Stimpson’s trial and added: “My heart goes out to Molly’s parents."

The jury heard how Stimpson stalked the 23-year-old university student from Cobham after she ended their relationship and he then killed her in the car park after they left PureGym separately.

Stimpson inflicted at least 75 wounds, including slashing Molly's throat, and she died at the scene.

Mr Morton had gone to Dockside to drop off his wife and a friend at the cinema while he walked his dog.

He was sorting out music on his phone when he heard a commotion.

“I moved forward to get a better view of what was happening,” he said.

“There seemed to be a fight going on. A man appeared to be hitting a woman.

"I stepped forward from the walkway and at that point I could see it was not just a fight but a woman seemed to be being attacked by the man.

“He seemed to have something in his hand. She was at that point resisting. He was using both his hands. She had her hands up to try and stop him. I moved closer. I gave my dog to someone.

“Then I moved closer to the car where I could see the man was attacking her with a knife or some kind of implement. It was quite small. There was already blood inside the car.

“When I got right in front of the car I could see he was stabbing her. She was trying to defend herself at that point. He was stabbing her towards her head and neck.

“It was something I have never seen and hopefully never will. To be honest I didn’t know what to do. I shouted at people to say he was killing her and to call the police.

“I banged on the window of the car. I thought it might distract him. I was banging on the bonnet of the car. I was hoping the police might arrive, someone might arrive with some idea of what to do.

“It is not something you expect to find in a car park. I shouted. I said: ‘He is killing her.’ I shouted: ‘Stop killing her.’ He didn’t stop. The attack just carried on.

“She was still trying to protect herself to start with, but it was obvious she was getting weaker.”

“No one else was coming so I thought I should try and do something.

“I moved to the driver’s side where he was leaning across attacking her. I could see his leg was sticking out of the door. I tried to slam the door on his leg to distract him.

“He moved his leg inside the car, then he just carried on. I moved around and grabbed his leg to see if I could pull him. His leg was covered with blood at this stage and my hand slipped off.

“At that point, I stepped back. I didn’t know what else I could do. I looked inside the car. I could see her throat had been cut. He seemed determined to make sure she was dead. He was stabbing her.”

When he realised he could do no more, he drove his car to block in Molly’s.

“I moved back to the other side, just to watch. At some point he stopped. He got out of the car. I stood watching in case he tried to get away.

“The police arrived. I and others shouted: ‘This is the man you want'."

Mr Morton added: “I was extremely upset at the time.

"I sat down. I had blood on my hands where I tried to grab him.

"A police officer came over to me and helped me.”