Express & Star

Brave Renee-Mai is new Pride of Britain

Renée-Mai Bolter was just seven when she was subjected to a terrifying hostage ordeal at her family home in Walsall.

Published

She was violently attacked when held captive with her mother and baby sister for eight hours by a 54-year-old man.

But the bright youngster's quick thinking and calm actions saved her family – and last night millions watched her pick up a Pride of Britain award.

She was presented with the Child of Courage award by X Factor judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Louis Walsh and presenters Dermot O'Leary and Sarah-Jane Crawford.

Mother Katie Bolter, now 29, was at home with her two daughters when Leonard Brown turned up.

See also: Bravery award for sister in raid ordeal.

He had previously done odd jobs for the family but had developed an obsession with the mother and became angry after finding out two other men were working in the garden.

Once the workers had left, Brown went to the garden shed, picked up a can of petrol and brought it into the house, threatening to kill them all.

Screaming at them, Mr Brown put his knee across Katie's chest as she sat on a sofa with her two children. He then began to hit her across her head and upper body.

Renée-Mai tried to shield her mother from the attack but Mr Brown punched the youngster in the face.

Katie recalled: "I was trying to stop him but he was just attacking me, I was terrified – not only for myself, but for my children. Renée-Mai was so brave to confront him."

The situation then took another horrifying turn as their attacker saw eight-month-old Lexi on the sofa and lunged at her.

In a split second action, Renée-Mai threw herself in the way, shielding her little sister and facing a second round of blows to her tiny head and body.

Renée-Mai said: "I was very frightened but I knew that I had to be brave and protect my baby sister."

The brave Yew Tree Primary School pupil spotted her mother's mobile phone and was calm enough to hide it under her clothes.

The three were then forced upstairs into Katie's bedroom and held hostage for the night with Mr Brown threatening to kill them if they tried to escape.

Renée-Mai remained calm and when at 6am Mr Brown went to the toilet, she pulled out the phone and gave it to her mother and the police were called.

Their attacker was arrested and jailed for 14 years in December 2012.

Renée-Mai, now 10, said: "I was scared and it has given me nightmares, but I am feeling better now.

"I'm proud to have helped save my mum and Lexi."

The youngster joined a host of remarkable unsung heroes at the awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London after researchers behind the show heard of her bravery following reports of the case.

Simon Cowell described her as adorable and really sweet. "The only thing that annoys me is that the guy who did this got only 14 years – if it were me I'd triple the sentence. It's disgusting. But she's come through on the other side."

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.