Bravery awards for Claughton neighbours who stopped knifeman Gary Finlay from killing teen after murdering soldier dad Graham McKenna

Oct 20 2010 by Ben Rossington, Birkenhead News

Bravery awards for Claughton neighbours who stopped knifeman Gary Finlay from killing teen after murdering soldier dad Graham McKenna

TWO men who came to the aid of a teenager being viciously stabbed by the man who had just murdered his dad were recognised as brave heroes.

Gill McKenna lost her husband Graham in the savage knife attack by ex-brother-in-law Gary Finlay in Wirral in January 2009.

And had two strangers, Jay Scott and Tony Pulford, not acted on instinct when they heard a child’s screams, she fears she would now be without son Michael too.

Finlay attacked soldier and dad-of-two Graham, 45, and 14-year-old Michael as the pair walked to catch the Soccer Bus from their Claughton home to watch their beloved Everton.

He attacked Graham first, before turning his attention to the youngster and knifing him 12 times.

Further down Upton Road neighbours Mr Scott, 38, and Mr Pulford, 27, heard screaming and ran to help.

Mrs McKenna had campaigned for the pair’s actions to recognised, which they finally were at a recent police commendation ceremony.

On the certificates they were given, it read: “Your actions clearly saved this young person’s life.”