A drug dealer was yesterday jailed for 25 years for attempting to murder an on-duty Dorset Police officer.
Michael Edward, 45, stabbed PC Craig Bartlett as the officer tried to arrest him as part of a lengthy drug surveillance operation.
His defence? Well, ‘pathetic’ doesn’t quite sum it up:
During his trial Edward said he was not aware PC Barlett was a police officer, although evidence was heard from PC Barlett that he shouted “Stop police” twice – something that was supported by a number of other officers at the scene.
Mitigation is similarly inept:
Mitigating, Jerome Lynch said Edward has expressed “genuine remorse” for the injuries he caused PC Bartlett.
In a letter to his victim, Edward wrote: “I write this letter to you to express my humble apologies for the pain and suffering brought to you and your family for my actions caused while carrying out your job.
“I hope some day you will find it in your heart to forgive my actions because they were purely unintentional. I understand how difficult your job can be.”
The judge, for once, isn’t having it:
Sentencing Edward, Judge Samuel Wiggs said: “You formed the intention, no doubt, that you would kill him so you could make good your own escape.
“You plunged that large knife deep inside his body.
“At the time, you, as an active drug dealer, were prepared to kill a person who was trying to arrest you. Your sorrow is on benefit of hindsight.”
Indeed. Nice to see
one judge who isn’t fooled.
15 comments:
Its the Kenneth Noye defense and has worked in the past.
No matter what the judge says the scum will be back on the street before you know it.
Well that defence worked for that arch-scumbag Kenny 'he always bought a round' Noye all those years ago - I think a few lessons have been learned since then. The shit should have been made to eat that note.
Wait for the appeal or attempt to reduce sentence - guaranteed that this piece of shit won't serve more than 33% of this sentence.
It worked out well.
Fortunate for we civilians that yet another tanned knifeman is out of commission....because his victim was a policeman. Fortunate indeed for the latter to have such reliable 'on mi kids lives yer onour' witnesses on hand.
MELV! Stop it!
For once I (sort of) agree with Melvin. It pisses me off no end when the fact that it's a cop that's assaulted, murdered etc. is taken as aggravating circumstances, as though some random non-plod's life is somehow less worthy. That said, I'm glad this scrote has received a really significant sentence.
he shouted “Stop police” twice
Ah, that could be: "Stop [you] police, running away like that." Mistaken identity.
No? Oh well.
My Dear Mr Gillies,
It would be my unbearable shiralee to permit support (sort of) from any decent family man.
You would be hounded, old boy.
One plod said stop police and was backed up by others. Who, now, believes police? They are totally useless (see Panorama last night and RIP troll Darren "could not give a fuck" Burton. A glittering career awaits him in the thick blue line!
Oh dear!
I have total confidence in you, Ranter. Tell us you are not the sort of tyrant who would let the handicap of a 24/7 commode be an obstacle to starting his own blog.
My apologies, Ranter. I withdraw the preceding unwarranted remarks.
"Its the Kenneth Noye defense and has worked in the past."
Indeed! I really have to wonder about that jury. I guess this small time drug dealer lacked his resources....
"Wait for the appeal or attempt to reduce sentence - guaranteed that this piece of shit won't serve more than 33% of this sentence."
Oh, I wouldn't be at all surprised.
"It pisses me off no end when the fact that it's a cop that's assaulted, murdered etc. is taken as aggravating circumstances, as though some random non-plod's life is somehow less worthy. "
Well, while we employ them as the uniformed line between 'us' and 'them' (and refuse to allow us to defend ourselves) I guess it's the least we can so.
As for the 'significant sentence', I fear Anonymouslemming is right. When did anyone recently convicted serve the sentence they got in court?
@ Livescore
Wasting your time here, dear. Since the blog went gone quid pro plod, commenters order Gadget fabrics exclusively.
How dare you Julia write any articles that are not highly critical of the police.This blog-according to Melvin-should solely be about police bashing.
I can feel flouncing coming on followed by a quick return under another new name.
Jaded
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