TWO police officers from East Surrey have been commended for their courage and determination.
In a case taking longer than a year to resolve, investigating officer Stephen Hickey, based in Reigate, uncovered frauds totalling more than £200,000.
Meanwhile, Special Constable Stewart Menhenett of Caterham was off duty when he came to the rescue of a man knocked unconscious with head injuries.
The pair were honoured at the Divisional Commendation ceremony held at Guildford Cathedral on October 23.
Over the past year Mr Hickey had been investigating a complex fraud case focusing on the sale of tickets to events that never happened.
Through investigating the initial offender, Mr Hickey discovered a number of additional offences. These had links to offences in Kent and uncovered more associates to be investigated.
A second offender was also found to be the first's father-in-law. The pair made promises, collected money but then failed to provide the goods.
Presenting Mr Hickey with the award, Detective Superintendent Paul Rymarz said: "All of the frauds were in relation to sporting and musical events that people had set their hopes on attending, for them not to transpire, making the crime even more galling."
The crimes generated more than £200,000.
The first offender pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud with 37 other offences being taken into consideration. He received three and a half years in prison.
The second offender pleaded guilty to money laundering and received nine months in prison plus 200 hours of unpaid supervised community service.
Stewart Menhenett, a special constable in Caterham, also received a commendation.
On the evening of March 30 this year, another detective constable was on night duty when he was called to a report of grievous bodily harm in Caterham. A man had suffered serious head injuries after being assaulted in the High Street area.
At the same time Mr Menhenett was waiting for a bus after work and had changed out of his uniform.
While at the bus stop he heard a commotion and then saw two men running past him from the direction of the noise. Mr Menhenett headed to the commotion, finding an unconscious man lying in the street having been assaulted. Mr Menhenett called 999, confirmed the ambulance was en route to the injured man, then gave a running commentary of the events as they were unfolding. Mr Menhenett retraced the route of the potential offenders, keeping the control room updated with the relevant information.
The ambulance crew took the victim to hospital, while Mr Menhenett returned to the police station and got back into uniform to assist with the investigation.
Presenting the award, Det Sup Paul Rymarz said: "In doing so, Mr Menhenett allowed the night shift detective to obtain a detailed witness statement from him, the vital details of the suspects and their actions.
"His involvement and presence of mind to take notice and provide an early and accurate update to the control room, played a valuable part in the investigation that led to the offenders being identified and charges considered."
