A MAN who was given numerous bravery awards after coming to the aid of a 14-year-old who had been stabbed more than 20 times has pleaded guilty to the possession of extreme child pornography.

Gareth Robert Crook, 37, formerly of Chorley, but currently of no fixed address, will be sentenced next week after admitting seven counts of making indecent photographs of a child and two counts of possession of extreme pornographic images of a child.

Crook was due to be sentenced at Preston Crown Court yesterday via a video link from Forrest Bank Prison, where he is currently being held in custody.

Technical problems with the video technology at the prison prevented sentencing going ahead and the case was adjourned until Friday, September 26.

Crook, an ex-Royal Artillery soldier, previously came to public attention when he was credited with saving the life of Chorley teenager Jessica Knight after a vicious knife attack in 2008.

He was cycling home from his job as a landscape gardener when he found her with numerous stab injuries after the frenzied attack in Astley Park.

He managed to stem the flow of blood from a neck wound before paramedics and police arrived.

The attacker Frenchman Kristofer Beddar, 21, from Adlington, was jailed for life in December 2009 after being convicted of attempted murder.

At the end of the six-day trial the judge awarded Gareth Crook £500 out of public funds He was later presented with a certificate of commendation and a the cheque in a Preston Crown Court award ceremony.

He received his award from the then High Sherriff of Lancashire, Colonel Alan Jolly.

He also received a ‘Chorley Smile’ award from Chorley Borough Council and was recognised by the Royal Humane Society for his ‘public spirited actions’.

Crook will remain in custody at Forrest Bank Prison until he is sentenced for the offences.