Brave rescuer is hailed after knife attack
AHEROIC dad has told how he ran towards a thug who was slashing his ex girlfriend with a knife on a bridge in Southport.
Simon Mahon was on a day out with his children when he saw 22-year-old Ryan Quigley viciously attacking former partner Shelby Shearer, 18, on Marine Way Bridge.
Quigley had lured his victim to an ambush by using their baby.
Last week a judge at Liverpool Crown Court jailed Quigley for 10 years for his savage attack.
And he awarded Mr Mahon a £250 reward in recognition for his bravery, which saved the victim from suffering even more severe injuries – or worse.
Jealous Ryan Quigley used his baby son to lure Shelby Shearer to an ambush after learning that she had a new partner.
He slashed her face and tried to stab her in the head and neck, only for his knife to snap during the vicious attack.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Quigley trapped Miss Shearer on the bridge and yelled: “If I can’t have you, then neither can he.”
But Simon Mahon – who was walking with his children towards Southport Promenade – came to her rescue.
Mr Mahon told police that he saw a young couple with a pram and heard the woman cry out and recoil from the “menacing” male.
He said: “The male seemed to have a quick look around and then swiped towards her with his hand towards her face.
“I saw what looked like blood or sweat or something spray out.
“He then started laying into her with lots of blows. She was screaming ‘get off’ and ‘help!’.
“I realised I would have to do something, so I told my kids to stay where they were.
“I then ran at the male across the walkway and started shouting ‘stop!’ and ‘get off her!’.”
By the time Mr Mahon reached the pair, Quigley had Miss Shearer in a headlock.
Mr Mahon dragged the thug away, took hold of his arms and pushed him against some railings.
He said: “I said to him ‘What the hell are you doing? You’re hitting a woman’. He said ‘I love her, I’m sorry’.”
The courageous witness said someone shouted that Quigley had “chucked a knife”, but he couldn’t see the weapon.
He told Quigley to stay where he was and went to check on Miss Shearer, but another witness grabbed the attacker.
Mr Mahon said Quigley broke free, then ran past his children, just as he realised Miss Shearer had been knifed.
He said: “I heard a series of loud bangs from the bridge. As I looked back the male was just falling to the ground, having clearly been hit by a car.
“I knew the girl was okay and being looked after, so I ran towards the guy, who was now on the floor in the middle of the street.
“As I got to him I could see that the side of his head was dented and I’m not sure if his leg was injured too.
“He was trying to get back up but I could tell he was really hurt, so I was trying to get him to stay still.”
Mr Mahon and another man helped put Quigley in the recovery position and waited until an ambulance arrived.
The brave dad then went to comfort his children, who witnessed some of the frightening ordeal.
Quigley, of Kensington Road in Southport, admitted wounding with intent during the incident, at around 11.30am on March 4 this year.
Judge Neil Flewitt, QC, said Miss Shearer would be left with a scar to her chin, but happily a slash across her face was healing.
He jailed Quigley for 10 years, then added: “The actions of Mr Simon Mahon deserve public commendation.
“Without regard for his own safety, he went to the assistance of Miss Shearer and tackled the defendant, who was armed with a knife.
“In my view that sort of publicspirited conduct should be marked and should be rewarded by the payment of £250 from public funds.”