Bravery award for woman stabbed 11 times by attacker

A “great and extraordinary lady”, who fought off a would-be murderer has been honoured… in the same court she gave evidence in his trial.

Accountant Wendy Webster, who was recovering from a serious accident after falling from a horse, was stabbed 11 times in a frenzied knife attack.

But the jury at Canterbury Crown Court heard how she told herself: “I’m not going to let him bloody kill me! I thought I’m going to die, I am not going to let that happen.”

Now Kent’s High Sheriff, Kathrin Smallwood has presented her with a special bravery award after hearing of the woman’s amazing exploits near her home in Little Olantigh Road, Wye.

Horse-racing enthusiast Judge James O’Mahony compared the 74-year-old horsewoman’s courage with champion jockey, Sir AP (Tony) McCoy.

And then the judge quipped: “And those who don’t know who that is… shame on you.”

He added: “She was alone but stayed calm when confronted by her attacker, who caused lifethreatening injuries.

“She survived thanks to the prompt medical attention and her own sheer bloody-mindedness and indomitable spirit and determination.

“It was sheer nightmare and horror which would have probably done for any one of us, but she survived and then returned to give evidence. “She is an example to us all.” The jury had heard how, despite her appalling wounds, the pensioner staggered 80 yards from her home before flagging down a passing car and then being airlifted to hospital.

Her attacker, Leonidis Mouzakitis, 23, of Stanley Road, Folkestone, was convicted of her attempted murder and given a 32-year extended sentence.

Leonidis Mouzakitis was found guilty of attempted murder

Judge James O’Mahony