Ashanti and Zian Fagan, who alerted police after witnessing attack, with Martin Hewitt and Matt Jukes
(Picture: Metropolitan Police )Two sisters who helped a 13-year-old girl being abducted on the way to school have won a national bravery award.
Zian Fagan, 20, saw Kadian Nelson drag the child into an alleyway in Mitcham.
Zian called her mother who contacted police. Her sister Ashanti, 11, watched Nelson place his hands over the girl’s mouth.
The attacker claimed he was the victim’s sister but she gave Ashanti a look that indicated she was not okay.
As the kidnapper tried to walk away with the victim, Ashanti followed filming them both on her mobile phone.
Nelson made off quickly as police arrived at the scene.
But he was spotted that night by a member of the public who recognised him from the mobile footage which was uploaded to social media.
Nelson, 26 - described by a judge as “every child’s worst nightmare” - was handed a 20-year sentence for rape, kidnap and threats to kill at Kingston crown court in August 2021.
The sisters were awarded £250 each by the court for their efforts. At the police and public bravery awards in Sheffield, Ashanti, now 22, won a silver award and sister Zian, 14, received a certificate from Martin Hewitt, chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council and Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Matt Jukes.
Detective Inspector Simon Sherlock, who led the investigation, said: “These girls were absolutely amazing and acted so quickly in putting in a challenge to Nelson. I have no doubt whatsoever they prevented it from going further.”
