Have-a-go heroine 50 and 5ft 4ins . . .
Date published: 31 March 2009
Georgina Harmer pinned down Wesley Ogden for 10 minutes until police arrived.
A WOMAN who wrestled an out-of-control knifeman to the ground after he stabbed her friend has been hailed a have-a-go heroine.
Despite being 5ft 4in and 50-years-old, plucky Georgina Harmer was more than a match for brutal Wesley Ogden (28), from Featherstall Road North, Oldham.
She gave chase after Ogden launched a frenzied attack during a night out — and kept him in a headlock until police arrived.
Ogden was convicted yesterday of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and assault, following a trial, and given an indeterminate sentence at Bolton Crown Court. He will serve a minimum of three-and-a-half years.
Georgina was outside The Clarence pub in Bury with friend Alan Keown (46) and his partner, Pamela Nabb on Saturday, August 30, last year.
The horror began when Ogden, who had been thrown out of the pub, made a sexual remark towards Pamela.
Georgina told the Chronicle: “Alan defended her and he (Ogden) persisted in being rude. Alan pushed him away, he didn’t hit him, but unfortunately he lost his footing and went down to the ground.
“He produced a knife out of his trouser pocket and stabbed Alan in the head, under the ribcage, in his back and under the arm.
“Alan struck out to defend himself but he just went into a frenzied attack. I could not believe that he was carrying a knife.
“A bloke came over and kicked the knife out of his hand and headbutted him.
“He was a bit dazed but ran off so I chased after him. I caught him just around the corner and got him in a headlock and applied pressure to his groin with my knee and kept hold.”,
As Ogden struggled a bouncer came over to help Georgina.
Georgina said: “There was no way I was going to let him go until the police came as I wanted to make sure they got the right person. I was just running on pure adrenaline.
“I said to Alan and Pamela after that I don’t think I would have done it if he still had the knife on him but they said ‘we know you would have done’.
“I’m only small but, fortunately on that day, I was a match for him.
“I consider myself very lucky as he is a very dangerous man.
“I’m really proud. People say don’t be a bystander but some are frightened to do anything and you can’t blame them because of some of the things that have happened in the past - but I didn’t think of any of that on the night. I’m just glad that justice has prevailed and he has been taken off the streets so people are safer.”
Georgina, from Wellington Street, Radcliffe, is now a customer service advisor for 02, but she also ran pubs for 16 years.
The attack has left her friends wary of going out but Georgina said the sentence had brought some closure for Alan, who is still recovering and has only just returned to work.
Detective Inspector Sarah Jackson, of Bury CID, said: “While what the victim’s friends did was undoubtedly risky, I would like to praise their bravery.
“In particular, the woman who put her own safety at risk and chased Ogden through the town centre, detaining a very strong and dangerous man, was incredibly courageous and her selfless actions have helped put a violent man behind bars.
“Ogden’s assault was utterly shocking. Only the word frenzied would do it justice and were it not for the fact that Ogden was outnumbered by the victim’s friends, we could well have been dealing with a murder inquiry. Ogden is an extremely violent and dangerous man.”
