Bobby Denis Scaife was saved from a severe beating when his eight-stone wife waded in with a souvenir shillelagh.

The 47-year-old police sergeant was left covered in blood outside his home when a crazed driver unexpectedly set about him after crashing through a garden fence.

His wife Barbara, 48, who stands just 4ft 11in tall, grabbed the souvenir club and lashed out at the driver before grabbing him between the legs. He doubled up in pain and staggered off.

Now the husband-and-wife team, who have been married 28 years, are to get special awards for their bravery from Thames Vally Chief Constable Charles Pollard. The couple were in bed at their Banbury home when they heard the car crash nearby. Denis went out to investigate and ran up against the driver.

Barbara said: "My husband was in trouble. I wasn't going to see him beaten up. He bought a shillelagh as a souvenir during his Army days in Northern Ireland so I grabbed it and ran outside in my dressing gown.

"It was very dark and pouring with rain. The attacker seemed totally out of control and Denis was covered in blood. I lashed out with the shillelagh on his back and hit him on the head with a shoe - without much effect. Then the solution came to me. I shut my eyes and grabbed the attacker in a very sensitive spot." Barbara will receive an award for civilians, while Denis is to get an official police award.

He said: "I've dealt with plenty of trouble during more than 30 years in the Army and police but this was getting out of hand. Thank goodness Barbara was on the scene."

Both husband and wife were treated for cuts and bruises. The driver, 31-year-old David Clegg, of Banbury, was given community service and an £800 fine for the assault and driving offences.

Story date: Friday 12 February

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