Met police firearms

[Fedster + 1,307]

He did not realise men wearing standard issue caps with 'Police' written on them were police officers.

Martin Stowell

 

A man who ran an officer over, leaving him with horrific leg injuries and a collapsed lung, has walked free from court.

Merseyside Police Sergeant James Morgan was left with a bone protruding from his left leg after being dragged under the wheels of the  stolen Transit during an attempted arrest in November.

Sgt Morgan and his three colleagues, PCs Stephen Morris, Lee Duff and Matthew Bull, attempted to stop check the van which was driven onto the pavement, colliding with the police vehicle and other parked vehicles, before being driven towards the officer.

Martin Stowell, of Queens Road, Everton, told the jury he did not realise the van was stolen, he did not realise the men wearing standard issue caps with 'Police' emblazoned above the peak were officers and feared he was being attacked by a gang.

Sgt Morgan, who has been with the force for 25 years, was rushed to hospital with 15 rib fractures after the incident and has yet to return to work.

Stowell was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, possession of cannabis and driving while under the influence of drink or drugs.

The 34-year-old pleaded not guilty to the charges of GBH with intent, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and two counts of aggravated vehicle taking.

On Tuesday the jury at Liverpool Crown Court reached a verdict of not guilty.

Assistant Chief Constable Julie Cooke said: “This court case highlights once again the dangers officers face every single day, putting themselves in harm’s way to deal with dangerous situations to protect our communities. 

“Sergeant Morgan sustained serious injuries and we will continue to support him in his recovery from this ordeal, as well as his colleagues, PCs Stephen Morris, Lee Duff and Matthew Bull, who were involved in the incident and subsequent trial, which has forced our officers to relive what was a traumatic experience through the lengthy court process. 

“The very nature of the job means that our officers bravely go into challenging situations, often running into the face of danger. 

“Our officers continually put themselves on the front line protecting our communities every day and for one of our officers to suffer such serious injuries serves as a stark reminder of the very real dangers that officers face to keep us all safe day in, day out.”

View On Police Oracle

[Chaos + 151]

I'm at a loss for words...

[mike88 + 257]

Just when you think it can't get any worse...

[Fedster + 1,307]

Career criminal to walk FREE despite running over policeman in stolen van - More detail below

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/career-criminal-walk-free-despite-14721150

 

[David + 4,981]

For once in a way I am somewhat at a loss for words here.

[MerseyLLB 8,426]

It's known as a Liverpool jury. I'm aware of a few similar cases when I was up there.

[Radman + 2,163]

Can't believe it, utterly shocking.

[Ether + 1,401]

28 minutes ago, Radman said:

Can't believe it, utterly shocking.

Can't believe it?  Where have you been hiding!

 

[Radman + 2,163]

33 minutes ago, Funkywingnut said:

Can't believe it?  Where have you been hiding!

 

In the First Class lounge with the complimentary coffee and biscuits!

Edited June 1, 2018 by Radman

[BlueBob + 692]

Now is the time for some decision makers and SIOs to reflect and ask what failings were there in the case that allowed the jury to come to that decision on those particular charges and what steps can be taken in the future to avoid a repetition.  

 

[JulietAlpha1 + 515]

19 hours ago, MerseyLLB said:

It's known as a Liverpool jury. I'm aware of a few similar cases when I was up there.

Could you just clarify your definition of a Liverpool jury? I think I know what you mean but I hope I’m wrong...

[Reasonable Man + 1,231]

Evidence gathered and presented to a court. A defence case was provided. A jury of peers heard all the evidence for both sides and came to a decision. Unless there is evidence of jury nobbling or the law not applied correctly in the trial then that is 'the best criminal justice system in the world' in action.
The guy's innocent so move on.

[Indiana Jones + 1,082]

32 minutes ago, Reasonable Man said:

The guy's innocent so move on.

Easy enough for us on the internet, but not such a simple thing for Sgt Morgan to do.

[MerseyLLB 8,426]

5 hours ago, JulietAlpha1 said:

Could you just clarify your definition of a Liverpool jury? I think I know what you mean but I hope I’m wrong...

There is a historic deep divide between certain sectors of the public on Merseyside and the police. It is steeped in trade union disputes, stark deprivation and in some cases a character flaw - many Scousers look for the best in people even where that puts their moral compass off balance.

The local definition of a Liverpool jury is where the facts of a crime as presented amount to evidence for a sound conviction but a jury nonetheless elects to find the defendant not guilty.

As has been said by RM - we never will know what occurs in the deliberation room or why a jury comes to such a decision. 

Legally speaking this chap is innocent having been acquitted by a jury of his peers. Factually speaking his admissions are that he did the acts listed in the charges.

[jimmyriddle 87]

They parked a Matrix van right in front of him and they were all in uniform... If this isn't giving the green light to run anyone over, I don't know what is.

What next?

"Well your honor, they identified themselves as "British Transport Police" which I knew to not exist, I didn't recognize the uniform and i wasn't on railway property anyway, so i thought it was a well dressed gang trying to rip me off so i felt it reasonable to run them over".

This is unbelievable