HAMPSHIRE police officers who restrained a man holding a knife to a woman’s throat, while dealing with a dangerous house fire, have been nominated for a bravery award.

As previously reported officers were called to an address in Butler Close, South Ham, in Basingstoke at 6.34am on Friday, June 24, last year. They found a woman in her 20s with non-life-threatening injuries.

Kyle Butler, 28, from Cannon Close, Ellisfield, was found guilty by a jury of attempting to murder his ex-partner following a trial held at Winchester Crown Court.

READ MORE: Butler Close: Man found guilty of attempting to murder his ex-partner

Shortly after 6.30am on the day of the incident, officers Robert Davies, James Pawley and James Langmead were called to the address.

The court heard that Butler stabbed his ex-partner three times with a knife he had purchased and set fire to her home. 

Opening the case, prosecutor Kerry Maylin said: "Mr Butler entered [the property] Butler Close without an invitation, he made his way into the house and he made his way to her bedroom where she was sleeping. He woke her, he held a knife to her throat, he threatened to kill her and himself, he phoned his sister to collect the two children."

Ms Maylin continued: "[Butler's ex-partner] did as she could to prevent the knife from being anything other than being held to her throat. She put her hand between the blade and her neck and grabbed the blade and in doing so received a substantial injury to her hand."

The court also heard that when police arrived Butler had "barricaded" the entrance to the stairs with children's toys and had set fire to bedding.

SEE ALSO: Man who allegedly tried to kill ex-partner had no intention to do so

During the trial, the court was shown bodycam footage recorded by PC Davies and PC Pawley who attended the address and described the scene as "distressing".

PC Davies said: "As I approached the bedroom, I could see that the defendant and a female were on the bed facing me so I stopped just in the doorway.

"His right hand was held up towards the right-hand side of her neck. His hand appeared to be held quite tidily around her neck."

PC Pawley suffered a stab wound to the hand.

Hampshire Police Federation chair Zoë Wakefield said: “Robert, James and James showed immense bravery as they faced the real threat of harm from an armed man, as well as from a dangerous house fire.

“It was a chaotic and fast-moving scene but the officers did brilliantly to bring it to a conclusion.”

READ ALSO: Butler Close: Smoke seen coming out of bedroom after alleged stabbing

She continued: “What absolute humble heroes this terrific trio are. They kept calm and professional throughout and I believe they saved lives that day.”

The National Police Bravery Awards honour officers from across England and Wales who have performed outstanding acts of bravery while on or off duty.

As nominees, the officers will attend a reception and an awards ceremony in London in July.

The National Police Bravery Awards are sponsored by Police Mutual.