This is the astonishing moment a school boy helped rescue a burly security guard from a terrifying eight-man brawl that left one police officer injured.
Have-a-Go hero Jack Slater, 14, was with a friend at his local shopping centre when security guards moved in to remove the four thugs who were celebrating after one avoided a jail sentence at a court hearing earlier that day.
A fight broke out after security asked the group to leave because they were drunk and causing a nuisance.
In total four security guards faced off against the gang of four adult louts in full view of stunned shoppers.
Dozens of adults gathered to watch the shocking spectacle but only Jack, who was still wearing his school uniform, leaped in to help.
During the fight one security guard had his shirt ripped off others were kicked, punched and head butted while one was even bitten.
Jack, who saw one of the four guards pinned to the ground by one of the brutes, then leapt onto the back of the thug and pulled him away.
Police eventually arrived on the scene and the four yobs, all aged 18 to 21 were arrested – although one officer was injured in the violent fracas.
The amazing incident was captured on CCTV and bosses at the mall in Maidstone, Kent, then tracked down Jack to give him an award for his act of bravery.
Brave Jack was given £50 in shopping vouchers during a special presentation at his school – Oakwood Park Grammar, last Friday.
The youngster, from Maidstone, Kent, said: “The security guards were getting flung around a bit and one of them looked like he was getting overcome.
“I ran over and grabbed the shoulders of the person he was struggling with and pulled him away.
“I’ve never done anything like this before and it was only afterwards I thought, ‘I could’ve been hurt there’.
“My friend tried to stop me and said I was stupid for getting involved but it was a spur of the moment thing.”
Paul Alcock, manager of the shopping centre, said: “I couldn’t believe a young lad wanted to go and help our guys.
“There were lots of people watching what was a frightening situation but he was the only one who tried to stop it.”
The modest youngster said he would not hesitate to help out again much to his mother’s distress.
Mum Michelle Slater, 42, said: “I told him off at the time for getting involved, but I’m very proud of him.
“He won’t do anything like that again, hopefully.”
Kent Police have launched an appeal for witnesses to the brawl.
PC Alan Weller said: “The shopping centre was very busy and a number of people would have seen the incident.”
Anyone with any information should contact PC Weller via Kent Police.
An 18-year-old man from Bobbing and two men aged 19 and 21 from Sheerness, all Kent, were arrested on suspicion of assault in connection with the incident.
A 20-year-old from Sheerness was also arrested on suspicion of obstructing a police constable.
All four were released on police bail until December 20 pending further investigations.
