A MINEHEAD woman who dived out of a window screaming to stop her boyfriend being kicked to death by a group of youths and was punched to the ground herself is to receive a top bravery award. Helen Griffin, 28, of Sycamore Road in the town, was also sprayed with what she thought was CS gas in the incident in December 2004. And her boyfriend Andrew McCutcheon suffered head injuries, lost three teeth and was badly bruised and grazed in the attack. Now Ms Griffin has been awarded a Royal Humane Society Testimonial on Vellum, given to people who have put themselves in considerable danger to save, or attempt to save, someone else. The former West Somerset Community College student was nominated for the accolade by 40- year-old Mr McCutcheon's mother Daphne McCutcheon, who also lives in Minehead. "I felt I needed to do something," she told the Free Press yesterday (Thursday). "Without a doubt Helen saved my son's life. I don't think he will ever totally recover from the ordeal - the attack has changed his character." In addition to the award, Helen also won the praise of the Royal Humane Society's secretary Major General David Pennefather. Speaking at the society's headquarters yesterday (Thursday) he said Ms Griffin had saved Mr McCutcheon's life by drawing the attention of the attackers to herself. He said Mr McCutcheon was at her flat when they heard a commotion outside. "Mr McCutcheon looked out of his window and saw three youths interfering with his motorbike," he said. "He went out to ask them to leave it alone, whereupon he was attacked by all three, pulled to the ground and repeatedly kicked in the head. "This continued after he was unconscious. "Ms Griffin jumped out of the window, screaming for them to stop before they killed him. But this only succeeded in diverting their attention to her. "She was then sprayed with what she thought was CS gas and then punched to the ground before the youths ran off. "Her brave actions almost certainly spared Mr McCutcheon's life. She richly deserves this award." As a result of what happened the youths were later arrested and charged, eventually receiving sentences ranging from two years in prison to a long community punishment order. Ms Griffin told the Free Press the award had come as a complete surprise. "It was a very unexpected thing to be nominated and I'd like to thank Daphne for putting my name forward. "It was an horrific experience for both of us and I didn't really have time to think about what I was doing. "Luckily we are both all right and we are slowly getting over what happened." The award, which will be signed by Princess Alexandra, the society's president, will be presented to Ms Griffin later this year.