EACH year it gets harder an harder for the judging panel to choose one winner of the Courage Award, but after hearing of Tyler Turner’s bravery he just got the edge.

Tyler, from Sutton, was working at Critchley’s Taxis in November last year part time when a man came into the Waterdale Place office requesting a taxi.

When one did not arrive quickly he barged his way into the office cubicle where Tyler, then 16, was alone. The thug threatened to punch Tyler before demanding cash and his mobile phone.

However he kept calm and kept the man talking before telling him his taxi was outside, convincing him to leave the cubicle, so he could lock him out.

The man reacted by picking up a chair and throwing it towards the office window before making off in the taxi.

After sentencing the offender to 27 months behind bars following a court case in December 2018, Judge Clement Goldstone QC was so impressed by Tyler’s actions at such a young age that he awarded him a Certificate of Commendation for his bravery.

Tyler, also helps care for his sister Kaycee alongside his mum, stepdad and siblings, as she has a terminal illness called Batten Disease (nominees for The Family of the Year Award)

On receiving his award, Tyler, now 17, who now works at Darkstar Laser, said: “It does feel very good to win this.

“I’m very proud of my family for all the things they do for Kaycee, but it’s nice to win something for myself.

“It isn’t very often that a young lad from a council estate has loads of people clapping for him being brave, so I’m made up and very proud to have my dad, mum, stepdad and brother here with me to celebrate.

“It was just the adrenaline that kicked in at the time, afterwards I was really stressed about it.

n Other nominees for the Courage Award who received a highly commended award each, were:

Megan Lea – a 19-year-old girl who survived being hit on the head with a machete and now does all she can to raise awareness of knife crime.

And Jess Rigby – a 21-year-old student teacher who selflessly helped three lost and scared little girls at the Manchester Arena Bombing in 2017.

She got them to a parent safely and calmed one after a panic attack

This category is always one of the most difficult to whittle down to one winner, given the bravery and strength of people in our community.