A POLICEMAN who took on Iraqi terrorists threatening to blow up a plane at Stansted airport will today (Wednesday) receive a commendation.

Seven of the Iraqis went to jail after hijacking the airbus in August 1996 with knives and fake hand grenades made from sauce bottles.

Det Con Nigel Perry, from Harlow, who is stationed at Epping, is among several police officers to receive Certificates of Commendation at Essex Police headquarters, in Chelmsford.

The worthy detective is praised for his "professional ability, skills, and thoroughness displayed during the investigation of a complex case relating to the hijacking of a Sudan Airways Airbus."

DC Perry, who was the exhibits officer in charge of items found on board the aircraft, said: "Opportunities like that do not arise very often. It was a big team effort and I would like to thank all the officers who were in involved."

Also commended is PC Philip O'Connell, from Harlow police station, who is praised with other officers for his actions following a domestic dispute in Brentwood, in January.

The father of the woman involved suffered a heart attack. The officer undertook heart massage and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to keep the man alive until the ambulance arrived. He died later in hospital.

Other officers were commended for supporting bereaved relatives following a triple road death at Chadwell St Mary, in June 1997.

PC Andrew Gladman, of Harlow traffic police, is praised for his "professional and compassionate" approach to supporting the families of those killed. And PC Paul Restarick, from Grays station, and PC Joanne Barry, from Stansted Airport, are commended for sympathetically dealing with bereaved relatives at the hospital.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "They volunteered to conduct a viewing of the badly disfigured bodies of young children killed in the crash. The actions facilitated the wishes of grieving relatives in the most distressing circumstances."

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