Man tried to murder police officer with scissors

A man who stabbed a police officer 23 times with a pair of scissors has been found guilty of attempted murder.

Robert Jenner attacked PC Sean Quinn in June 2023, leaving him with a gaping wound across his forehead which exposed his skull.

Officers had gone to Jenner's flat in Maidstone, Kent, after he was suspected of running naked in a nearby park, exposing himself to women.

Jenner had denied attempted murder and wounding with intent but was convicted after a trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

The court heard Jenner's belief was that it was his right as a naturist not to wear clothes.

He had 11 previous convictions for exposure.

Jurors heard he had been released from prison two days before the attack, having breached an order banning him from wearing see-through clothing.

When police went to his flat on 15 June 2023, he refused to let them in and barricaded himself inside with a sofa.

Police bodycam footage showed officers forcing entry and trying to incapacitate him using pepper spray.

When PC Quinn gained access, Jenner launched himself at him, stabbing him repeatedly in the head, face and neck with the scissors.

Another officer, PC Ashley Bates, said she would never forget hearing the "cry of anguish" as her colleague was attacked.

Ms Bates said it was only when she she hit Mr Jenner five or six times on the back of his head that he released the scissors.

The prosecution at Maidstone Crown Court said, given the severity of his actions, Jenner must have been trying to end PC Quinn's life.

The defence argued Jenner had acted to defend himself from what he believed was an unlawful arrest or unlawful entry to his flat and did not intend to kill or seriously injure PC Quinn.

Jenner was not in court for the verdict and had refused to attend the trial.

Members of PC Quinn's family wept on hearing the guilty verdict.

PC Quinn has so far been unable to return to work but Kent Police said it was "offering support to allow him to get back to the job he loves".

Ch supt Neil Loudon said: "Jenner carried out a sustained and savage attack which lasted more than 20 seconds and has led to some of the worst injuries to a police officer I have ever seen.

"It is only by pure chance that none of these injuries proved to be fatal."

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