Sharon Livermore MBE often has people approach her for a chat after she’s bravely shared her own lived experiences of domestic abuse.   

But recently, someone very special introduced themselves after she delivered a talk about her journey at a training course for sergeants at Cambridgeshire Police.   

As Sgt Laura Rainbird listened to the story, she realised she was one of the first officers to get to Sharon the night she could have died at the hands of her abusive ex-husband. 

“I was there and went to your job,” Sgt Rainbird told Sharon after the session at Cambridgeshire Police Headquarters in Huntingdon.   

Both describe their initial exchange as very emotional.   

They hugged, and Sharon was finally able to say “thank you” to one of the officers who rescued her and her young family on that horrific night. 

Monday, November 4, it will be exactly nine years since the incident happened. 

Sgt Laura Rainbird was one of the first officers to help Sharon the night she needed the police.Sgt Laura Rainbird was one of the first officers to help Sharon the night she needed the police. (Image: Sgt Laura Rainbird) Sharon, from Ely, said: “Meeting Laura was the first time I had crossed paths with a police officer who helped me and my family that night.   

“Everyone who dealt with the incident made sure we were safe without even considering the danger they could’ve been in themselves.   

“They were our heroes and the police don't get enough credit for their work.”   

Sharon, who owns the company Kameo Recruitment, first met her abuser on a sales course and was immediately captivated by his charisma and thoughtfulness. 

But after they married, her life changed dramatically. She was subjected to relentless coercive and controlling behaviour, as well as emotional and physical abuse.   

Eventually, she found the strength to confide in her boss about what had been going on.   

It was reported to the police who arrested her estranged husband and helped relocate her and her children to a place of safety.   

But one night after work, she got into her car and noticed a blanket usually in the boot was under her car seat and she could smell aftershave. 

When she got out and opened the boot, she found her abuser curled up waiting for her armed with knives and cable ties.   

It now transpires he had broken into her home earlier that day and stole her spare set of car keys in a plot to abduct and murder her.   

He chased Sharon, who ran back to the office. As she cowered down on the floor to protect herself, her colleague managed to push him away. He then fled from the scene in her car.   

As police were responding to the 999 call, Sgt Rainbird said officers were aware they were heading to a potentially very serious incident.   

She said: “In my 15-year career with the police, this is among the most memorable jobs I’ve attended.   

“The role of a police officer is to protect people, and I remember thinking we needed to do whatever we could to protect this woman and her family that night.   

“Oscar 1, the duty inspector, declared all officers were to remain on duty - and everyone understood we needed boots on the ground to find Sharon’s abuser. 

“To see her now, and hear what she has achieved following the worst day of her life makes me feel so proud of a woman I don’t even know.   

“Every day, she relives and talks about what she went through and has made it her mission to change how the world sees domestic abuse.   

“She’s incredible and an inspiration.” 

Sharon Livermore MBE (right) with Det Insp Alicia Yorke, Domestic Abuse Tactical Lead at Cambridgeshire Police.Sharon Livermore MBE (right) shares her story with organisations. Here, she is with Det Insp Alicia Yorke, Domestic Abuse Tactical Lead at Cambridgeshire Police. (Image: Sharon Livermore MBE) A jury found Sharon's abuser guilty of attempted kidnap and taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent. He was sentenced to four years in prison and has since been released.   

The ordeal made Sharon realise that at the time her workplace was where she felt safe.   

As well as running her business, she set up the organisation Domestic Abuse Education and offers specialist workplace training around domestic abuse.   

Sharon is also an ambassador for the Domestic Abuse Alliance and the Employer’s Initiative on Domestic Abuse.     

Her efforts and campaigning led to her receiving the MBE earlier this year.   

Since their paths crossed at the training session, the pair have managed to catch up properly over breakfast.   

Sgt Rainbird added: “I can definitely see us staying in touch now for good.”