UK: Police arrest man who successfully defended himself from knife-wielding attacker

I swear I'm not doing it on purpose. Aside from my photo of the week, this is the sixth post in a row featuring the UK. It's just that they provide such a wealth of fun stuff to write about - stuff that you don't hear much about in the United States.

Here's the short version: A knife-wielding robber (Liam Kilroe), with a long criminal history tries to rob a shopkeeper (Tony Singh) one evening. They struggle, the attacker is stabbed and dies.

Who to arrest? The robber is dead, so arrest the shopkeeper instead!

Here's the longer version:

Mr Singh was attacked at 9.40pm on Sunday after a 13-hour day minding his corner shop in a parade of stores in Skelmersdale, Lancashire.

Kilroe appeared at the window of the businessman's Ford Focus, smashed it with the butt of his knife and demanded the takings.

Mr Singh fought back and during the struggle the knife went into Kilroe's chest. A post-mortem examination revealed he had died of a single stab wound.

After his arrest, Mr Singh was taken to hospital where his wounds were stitched up.

He was then questioned for several hours at a nearby police station. Mr Singh is believed to have told senior officers the knife went into Kilroe's chest by accident.

He was released on police bail in the early hours of Monday morning.
...
Mr Singh was freed on police bail after witnesses gave "consistent accounts" claiming Kilroe had attempted to rob Mr Singh.

They said the criminal had been stabbed with his own knife.

...
Lancashire Police confirmed a file had been sent to the Crown Prosecution Service for lawyers to consider whether murder, manslaughter or assault charges should be brought against Mr Singh.

Strangely, the Daily Mail doesn't have its usual comment section with the story.

The Sun leads with a typically over the top headline, but they give some more background on Kilroe's history:

Kilroe, originally from Billinge, near St Helens, began his campaign of robbery and violence in 1999, aged just 17, with his first conviction for assault and burglary.

Three years later he was convicted of possessing cannabis and an offensive weapon. Around Skelmersdale, there are a number of local people who know exactly what it is like to be on the end of one of Kilroe’s terrifying robberies.

In 2002, shop assistant Susan Pye was serving alone in the High Street Store in Old Skelmersdale when Kilroe, then aged 19, held a knife to her face and helped himself to cash from the till, a bottle of spirits and a packet of cigarettes.

In the same month he continued his campaign against lone, female shopkeepers, robbing a newsagents and a post office, also in Old Skelmersdale.

He was eventually sentenced to four years in youth custody but his punishment seemed to have little effect. He continued to target shopkeepers on his release and last September he was back in court accused of committing two armed raids in the space of four days.

In one, postmaster Terry Limb was hit over the head with a handgun at his post office in Skelmersdale.
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In the second raid in the four days, Kilroe was said to have been with a masked pal who raided a general store at gunpoint and stole £8,000.

So why was he free?:

The trial went on for two days but the jury was discharged for legal reasons and Kilroe was given bail pending a retrial in December. However, he went on the run and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Rather than an arrest, Mr. Singh deserves a medal. Someone finally stood up to this career criminal.

Some might think that the discrepancy is due to racism (the victim is of Indian background), but as it turns out, police in the UK are politically correct to a fault (see here). I'm more apt to blame simple incompetence and/or bad judgement. Very bad judgement.

(Via Dock Green and Expat Yank)



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