Bus passenger who came to the aid of a teenage sex abuse victim rewarded for his bravery

A bus passenger who helped save a woman when she was being harassed and sexually assaulted by a stranger has been recognized for his bravery.

Mr Coates’ actions were recognized at the annual Chief Constable Awards, which took place at the Comis Hotel in Douglas earlier this month.

He received the Chief Constable’s Commendation for ‘Courage and Courage’.

Mr Coates came to the rescue on Tuesday, May 14 this year, when the teenager was on a bus traveling from Port Erin. She was approached by Teare who did not know her.

Teare sat in front of the young woman, but then moved to the seat across the aisle and then sat next to her, so close that he was practically on top of her.

Teare then kissed the side of her face before wrapping an arm around her neck.

He then pulled her towards him and tried to kiss her with his tongue out, telling her ‘kiss me, you’re fit’.

He placed his free hand under her crop top during an attack that lasted about 30 seconds and tried to kiss her again before rubbing his hand up her leg and launching another attack.

Panicking, she jumped up, told him she was going to talk to a friend and walked to the back of the bus, where she asked Mr Coates to pretend he knew her and tell him what had happened by writing it on her mobile.

Mr Coates encouraged her to get off the bus with him at the next stop to get away from Teare, despite Mr Coates having to travel to Douglas.

The woman got off the bus in Castletown with Mr Coates and he escorted her to a pub where she knew the manager and where she thought she would feel safe. Despite this, Teare followed her in and tried to grab her before being thrown out.

Without Mr Coates’ actions, police believe Teare would have attempted to commit further offences.

During Teare’s sentencing – for which he was jailed for 33 months – Deemster Cook highlighted Mr Coates’ courageous actions and fully supported an application for a police recommendation.

The Chief Constable’s annual awards were attended by distinguished guests including His Excellency, the Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer, Secretary of State for Justice and Home Affairs Jane Poole-Wilson and Chief Officer of the Home Office Dan Davies.

Also recognized for his bravery was Nick Perkins, who now lives in Australia but was back on the island earlier this year.

On the evening of April 6, 2024, Nick and his twin sister Emily celebrated their 40th birthday at Laxey Sailing Club.

During the evening, Nick left the building and heard something that caught his attention. As he followed the sound, Nick saw a man in distress who had entered the water at the Laxey Harbor slipway.

Nick ran to the slipway, waded into waist-deep water and managed to pull the man out of the water.

This isn’t the first time Nick has risked his own safety to help others. In 2017, he courageously entered Australia’s crocodile-infested waters to save several people.

The annual awards ceremony honors exceptional achievements in various categories, celebrating long service, academic excellence, acts of courage, determination and outstanding performance.