A Chesterfield College Hairdressing student who stood up to a group of thugs victimising a youngster on a bus has been commended for ‘outstanding citizenship.’

Riki Sharpe, 18 from Dronfield, was travelling to Chesterfield College by bus when she witnessed a group of five males intimidating a boy who was seated alone next to the window. Riki said: “These boys were tormenting someone who was obviously vulnerable. He had done nothing to provoke them but they surrounded him, so I thought he could use some help.”

After Riki stepped in and threatened to report each of the gang to the College, the group left the youngster alone. “Outside college, the bullies thought they could get away with it, but I wasn’t prepared to stand by and watch someone being victimised”, she added.

Riki reported the incident to her tutor Julie Drury, who nominated her for a citizenship award, commenting, “I’m so proud of Riki. Citizenship is one of the issues College students explore in their tutorial groups, and I think she set a brilliant example, especially to other female students.

“We are proud of the culture of respect between college students, but it’s very encouraging to see that off-campus our learners also feel that intimidation and bullying are never acceptable.”


Pictured: Riki Sharpe (left) with College tutor Julie Drury