A young girl from Walsall has been honoured for her bravery at a national awards ceremony, after being nominated by a West Midlands Police officer.
Renée-Mai Bolter received her Child of Courage accolade at the Pride of Britain Awards 2014, shown on television last night (7 October), from X-factor judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Louis Walsh.
The nine-year-old was put forward for the award by Detective Constable Tara Atkinson, who dealt with the investigation into a siege at the youngster’s home, during which Renée-Mai showed remarkable bravery in order to help her family escape.
Just seven years old at the time, Renée-Mai’s ordeal began one night in July 2011 when a family friend − Leonard Brown − arrived at the home, angry that her mum Katie had let some other men do some gardening work for her instead of him.
Brown, aged 54, began to assault Katie and Renée-Mai, who was brutally punched in the face leaving her bloodied and bruised, in the front room. Brown then went for Renée-Mai’s eight-month-old sister Lexie but despite her injury, Renée-Mai shielded her baby sister to prevent her from coming to any harm.
The three were then forced upstairs and held hostage in a bedroom where Brown constantly threatened to set light to the room with petrol.
Although they were being closely watched, at some point during the attack in the front room, Renée-Mai was able to hide her mother’s mobile phone in her clothing and at 6am the following morning, the family were able to escape and raise the alarm.
As police arrived, Brown locked himself in the house and soon afterwards smoke began billowing from a first floor window. Police and firefighters forced their way into the property, where he was eventually arrested and in 2012 was given an 11-year prison sentence for the torment he put the family through. Sadly Renée-Mai and her family lost all their possessions in the blaze.
Renée-Mai received a Chief Constable’s award for bravery from West Midlands Police in 2013 and so impressed by her actions on the night, Det Con Atkinson decided to nominate her for a Pride of Britain Award, which she went on to win.
On Monday night (6 October), Det Con Atkinson went with the family to a star-studded event in London where the youngster picked up her award. Det Con Atkinson said: “It was an absolutely fantastic night and Renée-Mai is a very worthy winner.
“She was so brave and forward-thinking and almost certainly saved her family’s life by hiding the mobile phone, showing a maturity way beyond her years.
“Not only did we get to meet all the stars on the awards night, but we were also invited to Downing Street the next day where a reception was laid on by the Prime Minister for all the award winners.
“It was an event we’ll all remember forever and although it in no way makes up for the ordeal the family went through three years ago, it at least provides a positive memory they can draw upon when they need it.”
Speaking at the time she received her Chief Constable’s award, Renée’s mother, Katie Bolter said: “Renée has made me very proud, she acted very grown up. If she hadn’t acted as she did, we would have been more seriously hurt or even worse. If Renée had not used her initiative and not acted so diligently we may not be here to celebrate this great act of bravery.
“I would like to say a big thank you to the fire crew and the police, especially DC Tara Atkinson, who looked after us and have given us ongoing support.”
Renée added: “I was very frightened but I knew that I had to be brave to protect to protect my baby sister.”