A COURAGEOUS officer disarmed a “raging” teenager who had stabbed his colleague.

PC Joshua Johnson was confronted by a boy charging at him with a knife, and it was only the quick reactions of PC Philip McGrath that saved him.

The duo had been called to Ingram Crescent East in Hove in June after the boy’s family reported he had a knife and had been self-harming.

After answering the door the boy had charged at PC Johnson and stabbed him in the arm.

It was reported that the boy had been like a “raging monster” and PC Johnson said: “This is hands down the most terrifying experience of my life. I thought I was going to die.”

PC McGrath stepped in and stopped the teenager, in a move his superiors said saved PC Johnson’s life.

For his courage he was awarded a commendation by Chief Superintendent Lisa Bell at the Brighton and Hove divisional awards held at the i360 on Brighton seafront.

PC McGrath said: “It was a traumatic incident. A man armed with a knife opened the door, we both sprayed him, but he attacked my colleague.

“It all happened so, so quickly, during a melee, so you just have to react in the best way you can.”

His partner Amie Morgan, who is also a constable in West Sussex, attended the ceremony with him and said she was “super proud” of him receiving the award for his courage.

She said dangerous incidents such as this can be a regular feature of their public service.

The Argus reported that riot vans and patrol cars descended on the residential complex in Hove early on a Sunday evening in June.

Neighbours described the screaming and shouting from a flat in the complex, and the boy was later arrested.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Brighton Youth Court last month, where he was detained under the Mental Health Act indefinitely.

He is receiving mental health treatment.

Witnesses were shocked by the incident, but police went door to door to reassure residents.

The mother of a young child said: “We heard shouting and there was something going on there this afternoon.

“My son was terrified, he didn’t know what was happening. But the police were really good, they came and spoke with him and shook his hand.”

Chief Supt Bell, who is the Brighton and Hove Divisional Commander, said: “PC McGrath ran towards the man with the knife, detained him, and removed the knife.

“His quick-thinking and bravery saved his colleague from receiving significant or life-threatening injuries.

“He disregarded his own safety to protect others, which is recognised as courageous and fearless.”

PC McGrath was presented with a Divisional Commendation by the High Sheriff of East Sussex John Moore-Bick.