High Wycombe man who shot PC with crossbow jailed

A person who shot a policeman within the leg with a crossbow after officers had been known as to a neighbour dispute has been jailed for 9 years.

Jason King, 55, stabbed a neighbour’s accomplice within the abdomen close to Excessive Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, after which fired at PC Curtis Foster on 10 Could 2024.

The officer, who was hit by a bolt within the leg, made a full restoration and returned to responsibility. The stab sufferer additionally recovered.

King admitted unlawful wounding and at a Crown Courtroom listening to in Amersham, Choose Jonathan Cooper stated King posed a “vital” danger.

He additionally pleaded responsible to having an article with a blade or level, having an offensive weapon, wounding with intent and affray.

King, a former laptop employee of Faculty Shut in Downley, close to Excessive Wycombe, repeatedly shot at officers with the crossbow out of his upstairs window.

Footage launched by Thames Valley Police confirmed King, sporting shorts and a T-shirt, operating throughout a street, pursuing the officers whereas pointing a crossbow.

An armed officer could be heard shouting a warning earlier than taking pictures King within the abdomen – who had been hiding close to timber.

He was taken to hospital below police supervision with doubtlessly life-changing accidents, however was discharged 10 days later and arrested, earlier than being charged.

The decide stated King’s actions had been proof he had tried “to settle a rating with police”.

“It was as in case you had been making an attempt to seek out the officer, chasing him, aiming at his physique,” he added.

Choose Cooper was instructed that he had purchased the crossbow on-line for lower than £20.

He instructed King he was “clearly beside your self” with anger in the course of the incident.

Choose Cooper stated PC Foster – who suffered a 2-3cm (1in) wound close to an artery – and two different officers must be recommended for bravery.

In an interview following the sentencing, PC Foster described how he misplaced a lot blood that his colleagues had been “coated” in it.

He stated he noticed King take “the entire window out of its body” earlier than pointing one thing at him.

The officer knew he had been “impacted”, however his adrenaline ranges had been “so excessive” that he couldn’t really feel a lot ache.

Barrister Graham Smith, prosecuting, stated King had earlier convictions, together with possessing a bladed article in a public place and for punching and threatening a neighbour.

Mr Smith stated PC Foster noticed King “grinning” as he exited his handle earlier than taking pictures him within the leg.

PC Foster instructed the decide, in a written sufferer impression assertion, that the assault had affected him in “so some ways”.

“Beforehand, I assume I used to be fairly blase about work,” he stated.

“I sort of thought danger is danger and that’s what you cope with. Now I really feel extra cautious.”

PC Foster stated he had suffered anxiousness and had thought of how he may by no means have seen his “dad and mom or anybody else” once more.

He stated his wound had bodily healed however left a scar.

Mark Kimsey, for King, stated his consumer had a historical past of tension and despair, and hashish use could have been an “aggravating issue”.

The barrister stated King needed to apologise, felt “embarrassed and ashamed”, and “did not perceive why he misplaced the plot”.

He stated what King did was “completely out of character”.

His consumer had been on remand in custody since Could 2024 and “doing extraordinarily effectively”, Mr Kimsey added.