A rookie PC and three colleagues who tackled two crazed attackers carrying out a “barbaric” murder in Linthwaite have received national bravery awards.

PC Elizabeth Brook – just two weeks into the job – was honoured along with fellow officers PCs Daniel Broderick, Anthony Dutton and Richard Knowles, all from Kirklees.

The four officers detained the killers – high on drink and drugs – as they attacked Robert Wilson, 53, outside pharmaceutical company Thornton & Ross in January 2020.

The four officers, who were first on the scene, each received the Police Federation of England and Wales Bravery Award in a ceremony in London.

The officers arrived to find one man significantly injured, with attackers Luke Gaukroger and Kiyran Earnshaw continuing to attack Mr Wilson with a samurai sword and knives. They bravely managed to detain both assailants at significant risk to themselves.

The officers provided first aid to Mr Wilson, who had tragically suffered unsurvivable injuries in the attack. The force’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team described the attack as “barbaric.”

Gaukroger, 17, of Huddersfield, was sentenced to life with a minimum jail term of 16 years and 17 days for murder.

Earnshaw, 20, of Batley, was also jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years and 140 days for Mr Wilson’s murder and nine years for the Section 18 assault on another victim.

  • Robert Wilson

PC Brook described the shocking scene as like something from a movie and added: “It was slow motion. We didn’t realise what we were seeing.

“A detective inspector later said this was the worst he had ever seen. He said (to me) it was absolutely horrendous – and you’ve dealt with it within the first two weeks of your career.”

West Yorkshire’s Chief Constable John Robins QPM said: “I am immensely proud of these four frontline police officers, who acted in the finest traditions of policing.

“They and their colleagues that night put the safety of the public first, ahead of their own, in order to do all they could to try to save the life of Robert Wilson.

READ MORE: How you can help charities and good causes in Huddersfield for the price of a cup of coffee

“They acted with courage, bravery and resilience when dealing with a truly horrific incident unfolding in front of them.

“Tragically even their brave actions could not save Robert but they risked their lives to ensure they tended caringly to him, whilst at the same time acting bravely to arrest those responsible. They are incredibly worthy recipients of this National Police Bravery Award.”

Presenting the awards, Police Federation chairman John Apter said: “Daniel, Liz, Ant and Richard represent the very best of policing, and fully deserve all the recognition they will rightly receive.

“Police officers are committed, dedicated public servants who frequently do extraordinary things to selflessly protect others. We have the best police officers in the world.”

READ MORE: How big-hearted Huddersfield Giants star Eorl Crabtree has given a family a home for Christmas