An off-duty PCSO ended up rescuing two young children that he spotted by the hard shoulder of a busy motorway after finding their drunk grandfather face down in a bush.
PCSO Aaron Sparrow-Woods realised something wasn’t right when he saw a young child standing by a car parked on the hard shoulder of the A1(M) motorway near Newton Aycliffe as he drove home from Ferryhill Police Station last year.
When Aaron pulled over to check on the child’s welfare, he was shocked to find the distressed child’s grandfather was face down on the grass verge.
He also found a second child in the back of the vehicle.
The 65-year-old was too drunk to stand, and Aaron stayed with the children, aged five and three until on-duty officers arrived.
The children were unharmed and were collected by their father.
The man was arrested for drink driving and child neglect. He was later found to be nearly three times the legal limit.
After pleading guilty to the offences at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court, the man was fined £1,000, banned from driving for two years and ordered to pay court costs and a victim surcharge.
Aaron, who serves as part of the Ferryhill Neighbourhood Policing Team (Durham Constabulary), has now been nominated for a commander’s commendation.
Inspector Mike Sammut, said:
“Despite putting himself in danger by stopping on the hard shoulder, Aaron stayed with the children and reported the incident, which ultimately led to the man’s arrest.
“More importantly, his actions prevented two young children coming to serious harm, and it’s fair to say that without Aaron’s intervention that day, things could have ended very differently.
“Following the man’s arrest, Aaron worked with the investigating officers for a further four hours to assist with the investigation.
“His actions were exemplary actions at the scene and his dedication afterwards show the very best of our officers who always go above and beyond to help protect the public.”
Aaron added: “Sometimes you just have to follow your gut instinct, and thankfully no one was injured – it could have been a far worse outcome.
“My on-duty colleagues and paramedics were quickly on the scene and I’m glad the children could be safeguarded.”
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