A HEROINE who intervened to stop a brutal street attack was yesterday honoured for her bravery.

Aimee Yule stood up to two drunken yobs as they punched and stamped on their unconscious victim in Darlington town centre.

The 22-year-old was presented with the first Pride of Darlington medal – commissioned by The Northern Echo – in recognition of her publicspirited actions.

The town hall ceremony was attended by Mayor Lee Vasey, Darlington MP Jenny Chapman and Peter Barron, the Editor of The Northern Echo, together with Ms Yule’s proud family.

She said: “I did not expect or ask for any of this, but I am really proud. I just did what anybody else should do.

“The response I have had has been fantastic. I have had emails from across the world praising my bravery. It has all been so overwhelming.”

Ms Yule, a taxi controller at 1AB Taxis, helped stranger Jason Waters in Northgate when he was attacked on July 27.

She placed the heavily bleeding 22-year-old into the recovery position to stop him choking, then stood up to his attackers when they returned several times to inflict further injuries.

The judge who jailed Simon Taylor, 31, and Ryan Piggford, 28, both of Darlington, for four years and eight months each for the attack praised Ms Yule’s courage.

Mr Waters, who suffered a broken nose and fractured hand and foot, said Ms Yule had saved his life.

At yesterday’s ceremony, Mr Barron said: “Aimee did something that I think sets an example for all of the young people of Darlington. She in- tervened in an incredibly brave way when more than 50 motorists went by without stopping. What she did saved that young man’s life. When we brought the two together for a photo, Jason Waters’ mother said she would be burying her son if not for Aimee’s actions.”

The Northern Echo will commission future medals to reward similar public-spirited acts across the North-East and North Yorkshire.

Presenting her with the medal, Mayor Vasey said: “I have been a magistrate for more than 20 years and it is very rare that I hear of such bravery. Amy has really done the town proud.”