Counter-terror firearms sergeant who won national award for tackling machete-wielding attacker is suspended pending court case
The Metropolitan Police officer once hailed as the bravest cop in England and Wales has been suspended after being charged with sexually assaulting a woman at a railway station.
Sergeant Stephen Brown, 47, is accused of sexually touching a woman without her consent at Biggleswade Railway Station on November 29, 2019.
The counter-terror firearms officer, who was awarded the nation’s top police bravery honour in 2014, appeared at Stevenage Magistrates Court in November where he entered a plea of not guilty.
From national hero to criminal defendant
Just seven years ago, Brown was being praised by then-Prime Minister Theresa May for his “commitment and courage” after he single-handedly tackled a samurai sword-wielding attacker on Christmas Eve 2012.
The dramatic confrontation in Holloway Road, North London, saw the officer face down 26-year-old Ahla Timofei armed only with CS spray and a metal baton – while the attacker repeatedly lunged at him with the deadly weapon.
The actions of Sergeant Stephen Brown are a powerful reminder of the commitment and courage that police officers bring to their role,” May said at the time.
The night that made him famous
The terrifying incident that earned Brown national acclaim began when he responded to reports of an attack on a 22-year-old Italian woman in Holloway Road.
Witnesses had heard the victim’s screams after Timofei set upon her with his sword, severing her thumb and leaving her with wounds to her face, arms and legs.
While his partner gave first aid to the bleeding victim, Sgt Brown confronted the sword-wielding maniac alone.
‘I thought my luck had run out’
Describing the heart-stopping encounter, Brown later recalled: “I was running full pelt at him and he turned around and raised the sword straight up in the air.”
“He swung downwards and the sword missed my neck by about a foot. I stepped back and said ‘put the sword down’, but he didn’t listen and took a few more swings.”
The quick-thinking officer managed to spray CS gas in Timofei’s face before striking his arm with an extendable baton, forcing him to drop the weapon.
“I could see in his eyes he wanted to kill me. I wasn’t going to see Christmas: I thought my luck had run out,” Brown said.
Arsenal of weapons discovered
When police searched Timofei’s rucksack after the arrest, they uncovered a terrifying arsenal including a crossbow, mallet, machete and gas masks.
The attacker was later found guilty of attempted murder and affray, with a judge ordering him to spend the rest of his life in a secure mental health unit.
Brown’s bravery saw him receive the overall winner award at the Police Bravery Awards in Central London, presented by then-Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe.
Humble hero insisted he was ‘just doing his job’
Despite the national recognition, Brown remained modest about his actions, insisting: “I’m not a hero: the real hero is the member of the public who went above and beyond and followed him.”
He added: “I have no doubt that he wasn’t going to stop until he killed someone that night. I also have no doubt that any cop would have done the same.”
Steve White, then-chair of the police Federation of England and Wales, praised Brown’s actions as an example of the “selfless acts of bravery carried out by police officers on a day-to-day basis.
Now facing serious allegations
Fast forward to 2019, and the decorated officer found himself on the wrong side of the law following an alleged incident at Biggleswade Railway Station in Bedfordshire.
British Transport Police, who are leading the investigation, charged Brown with sexual assault relating to the November 29 incident.
The Met confirmed: “We are aware that a serving Met officer has been charged with sexual assault following an alleged incident in November 2019. He is currently suspended.”
Court battle ahead
Brown, of Sandy, Central Bedfordshire, is set to appear at St Albans Crown Court on Monday, September 1, where his case will be heard.
British Transport Police said: “Stephen Brown, aged 47, of Sandy, Bedfordshire, will appear at St Albans Crown Court on Monday 1 September charged with sexual assault.
“The charge relates to an incident that took place at Biggleswade station on 29 November 2019.”
From Downing Street reception to dock
The stark contrast between Brown’s heroic past and current predicament is striking – from attending a Downing Street reception with the Prime Minister to facing criminal charges.
At the height of his fame, Brown appeared on Good Morning Britain to discuss his bravery award and was lauded across social media as an “Islington hero.
Now suspended from his role as a counter-terror firearms officer, he awaits his day in court to answer the sexual assault allegations.
Timeline of events:
- Christmas Eve 2012 – Brown tackles samurai sword-wielding attacker in Holloway Road
- October 2014 – Receives National Police Bravery Award and meets PM at Downing Street
- November 29, 2019 – Alleged sexual assault incident at Biggleswade Railway Station
- November 2024 – Appears at Stevenage Magistrates Court, pleads not guilty
- September 1, 2025 – Due to appear at St Albans Crown Court
The case continues.
