A DECORATED police officer who helped to save the life of an attempted murder victim has been nominated for one of the most prestigious prizes at The Argus Community Stars Awards.

Traffic officer PC David Catt has been recommended for the Beyond the Call of Duty Award for his heroic actions in stemming the bleeding of Amanda O’Riordan and taking the wheel of an ambulance to ensure she got to hospital with the best chance possible.

The remarkable story came to light last December, when PC Catt was honoured at a Sussex Police awards ceremony.

PC Catt, 50, was among the first responders to arrive when Amanda O'Riordan, 47, was stabbed at her home in Polegate.

Arriving at Guardian Court he passed a man with blood on his clothes in the doorway and found Amanda lying on the bed bleeding heavily from chest and back wounds.

He put pressure on her chest with his hands and reassured her as they waited for paramedics, but her condition was so critical both ambulance crew members were needed at her side so PC Catt drove the ambulance to the hospital.

PC Catt said: "As a traffic officer you often see horrific injuries but this was one of those jobs which was completely out of the ordinary. "It stuck with me for a long time and I was quite shocked.

"She was conscious but I was worried she wasn't going to survive. I felt helpless. It was clear she was in a very bad way.”

"I put my hands on her chest to stem the bleeding and just kept talking to her and trying to reassure her and keep her calm. She was very distressed and knew she was badly hurt.

"When the paramedics got here I asked if there was anything I could do to help and they said 'drive the ambulance' so they could be in the back with her."

Later he discovered the man who stood calmly aside in the doorway was not a helpful informant but councillor Joseph O'Riordan, the jealous husband who had stabbed his wife eight times. He was sentenced to 20 years.

PC Catt said that he was touched by the commendation he was give by the force, but said it meant more when Mrs O'Riordan visited the police station to thank officers who saved her life.

He added: "It was really nice to see her in a different light."

The police officer of 18 years, who has worked in the traffic department for a decade, is also a family liaison officer based at Polegate Police Station. He has a wife and daughter.