Brave ‘hero’ nan saves teenager from knife-point robbery in Preston

A brave nan from Preston stopped to save a teenager who was being robbed at knife-point. 

17-year-old Raynelle Barnes was riding his bike through the Moor Nook estate in Preston when he was threatened by a young man with a knife.

The teen was ordered to hand over money and his bike, before he managed to escape running desperately towards Pope Lane, the Lancashire Post reports. 

He ran out in front of a moving car while screaming for help outside the row of shops on the lane.

Behind the wheel was 60-year-old Elly Hutchinson who luckily slammed on her brakes, ushering Raynelle into her car for safety. 

Elly said she knew something was wrong instantly as she saw the ‘fear in his eyes’. She drove the teenager away from the area and to safety. 

She said: “I thought they were messing about at first but then I heard him screaming. He jumped on the front of my car and I was very scared because I didn’t know what was happening.

“I stopped the car and told him to get in. You could see the fear in his eyes. I drove past my own street to get him out of danger and he was sobbing the whole time. I was so scared.

“I think I was as frightened as him to be honest, and he was terrified. But I couldn’t leave him like that. I would have never forgiven myself.”

Raynelle visited Elly at her home with his elder sister Danielle to thank her with a bouquet of flowers. Danielle said Elly’s quick thinking and kindness probably saved her brother’s life.

She added: “Elly saved my brother from a really bad situation, we just can’t thank and praise her enough.

“There is no other word to describe her but ‘hero’ in my eyes. She is such a lovely woman and we are so thankful for her right now.

“He’s still shaken up and doesn’t want to leave his house because he’s scared. But if it wasn’t for Elly, my brother might be fighting for his life right now.”

Well done Elly!