A man who wrestled a knifeman off his teenage sister in the middle of the night in their home has been honoured for saving her life.

Mohammad Dowlut, then 22, heard his sister’s screams, ran into her bedroom and, despite being stark naked, tackled the intruder who was armed with a hunting knife on Good Friday last year.

Jealous online gaming fanatic Shane Coffey, then 19, had flown over from the US, smashed his way into Farha Dowlut’s first floor bedroom in Hook Road at 3am and was repeatedly stabbing her.

November - US gamer Shane Coffey 'googled life in prison' before flying 3,200 miles to Hook Road Epsom to try to murder 'virtual ex'

Although Mr Dowlut was stabbed several times himself, he finally managed to overcome Coffey after grabbing an iron bar and hitting him over the head.

In November, Coffey was jailed for life for trying to kill Miss Dowlut who was 18 at the time of the attack and had broken off their online relationship.

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American Shane Coffey is serving a life sentence behind bars

Mr Dowlut’s bravery was recognised at the Surrey Police Chief Constable's Commendation Ceremony held in Guildford on Thursday (March 19).

Surrey Police said: "Mohammed Dowlut tackled an armed offender who viciously attacked his sister in their home with a hunting knife.

"Mohammed sustained serious injuries, in saving his sister's life. The offender was sentenced to life imprisonment for his attack."

Speaking at Guildford Crown Court in November, Judge Recorder Christopher Critchlow praised Mr Dowlut’s courage.

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He said: "It may have been a natural response from a brother, but it was courageous given he was naked and found himself facing you with a large knife. He did not back off and he saved his sister’s life."

Coffey admitted to attempted murder and wounding with intent and was given a life sentence - something he anticipated as he did a Google search on what life was like in UK jails before flying here.

About four years earlier, he had become friends with Ms Dowlut through playing Xbox games including online fantasy game Runescape. When she ended their virtual relationship, Coffey flew to the UK with a murder kit.

He checked into Premier Inn in Epsom on April 17 before heading to the Dowlut’s family home, hiding in the garden, smashing her window with a brick and stabbing her.