Bravery of everyday people is honoured

Steven Sutterby will pick up a meritorious award at a ceremony at police HQ at Fettes after guiding officers to violent thief Elroy McArthur, who was later jailed for five years, minutes after the attack in Leith.

Another award recipient is Leah Grant, who was aged just seven when she gave life-saving help to her mother who was suffering an epileptic seizure.

Leah, from Linlithgow in West Lothian, was praised for her "bravery and quick thinking" by checking her sick mother's breathing before dialling 999 to give details to emergency services and running to neighbours to seek assistance.

Letting agent Mr Sutterby, 36, from Leith, was in the area to show a property when he spotted McArthur running away after attacking John Purves in Lorne Street in June 2009.

He said: "I didn't see what happened, but the way Mr Purves was shouting it was obvious something terrible had happened. I called 999 and continued following the man to the top of Easter Road."

Police were able to use his description of the suspect's movements and appearance to quickly detain him.

Mr Sutterby added: "If I had seen what happened a bit earlier, I would've ran across to intervene. Perhaps it's better that I didn't because he was clearly a violent character."

Nine days before attacking Mr Purves, McArthur had attacked a 19-year-old shop worker at a branch of RS McColl during a robbery.

Leah is set to receive her award after rushing to her sick mum's aid in November 2009.

The youngster noticed that mum Grace was becoming confused at simple questions and then started to convulse.

The Linlithgow Primary pupil previously told the Evening News that she had learned to call 999 after watching an emergency reconstruction on Children In Need.

A police spokeswoman said: "At just seven-years-old, Leah's swift and calm response meant emergency services were able to treat her mum immediately."

A total of 19 members of the public and 29 police officers are set to collect bravery awards at today's ceremony.