2017 Winner
Anthony Mathers
A great-grandad who sent a gang of armed carjackers packing has been honoured with a Pride of Birmingham Award.
Anthony Mathers, 75, was hauled from his car by robbers who threatened him with a gun and knife in Acocks Green.
But he fought them off, and said afterwards: “I was so angry that I told one of them I’d stick his knife up his bum, although I used stronger language.”
Now Anthony has won the Outstanding Bravery Award at Pride of Birmingham, in partnership with TSB.
He received his Award at a star-studded dinner hosted by TV presenter and campaigner Katie Piper, and attended by some of the region’s biggest stars.
Anthony was driving his Ford S-Max under a railway bridge in November 2016 when a man blocked his way. After he stopped, another man put what is believed to have been an imitation firearm to the window.
Anthony said: “I got out and he ran off. The other one pulled out a knife and I said ‘If you come near me, I will stick that knife up your a**e’.”
One of the robbers pulled Anthony out of the car, and as he tried to climb back in, he was pulled out again and the robbers drove off. Even then, Anthony was not ready to give up. As the car stalled nearby, he gave chase and confronted the gang, who fled when they failed to get the car started again.
Investigating Officer Det Con Tom Lyons said: “This would have been a terrifying ordeal for anyone and I want to commend the bravery of the victim.”