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Knife thug jailed for attempting to murder police officer

Knifeman Michael Edward Knifeman Michael Edward

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.

PC Bartlett was stabbed twice – once in the hip and another in the shoulder – and doctors said he was lucky to be alive.

One wound penetrated 12cm into his stomach and was described by doctors as “potentially fatal”.

The second another wound plunged half way through his shoulder blade.

Bournemouth Crown Court previously heard the attack happened at 7.55pm on February 21 last year when Edward was under surveillance by a team of plain-clothed police officers, including PC Bartlett.

They suspected him of drug dealing.

Edward had stepped outside his flat in Surrey Road, Bourne-mouth, to carry out a drugs deal when he was approached by PC Barlett who shouted “Stop police”. Edward pulled out a knife and stabbed the officer.

Damage on PC Barlett’s jacket suggested Edward had attempted to stab him a third time.

Edward was convicted of attempted murder by a jury at Bournemouth Crown Court on December 19.

Edward had pleaded guilty to one charge of possessing cocaine with intent to supply after £2,000-worth of cocaine was found in the bush outside his home.

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.

Following the stabbing PC Barlett was rushed to hospital and underwent emergency surgery.

The court heard PC Barlett made a good recovery and returned to operational duties at the beginning of May last year.

But having to relive the ordeal through the trial had serious psychological effects on PC Bartlett and he had to stop work at the beginning of January suffering from post-traumatic stress.

Charlie Gabb, prosecuting, said: “This was all, the Crown say, him trying to kill Mr Bartlett because he was caught absolutely red handed dealing in class A drugs.”

Mr Gabb said Edward had some previous convictions for drug offences and forgery but no convictions for violence.

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.”

Mr Lynch said friends and family described Edward as an “honest, hardworking family person”.

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.”

Speaking after the case, DS Wayne Seymour, of Bournemouth CID, said: “PC Bartlett sustained very serious injuries as a result of the vicious attack by Michael Edward.

“Thankfully he is now back at work, but the consequences could have been far, far worse.

“Clearly, Edward’s actions were entirely reprehensible and we welcome the sentence that was handed down by the judge today.

“This case highlights the dangers of knives and I would like to make it clear that Dorset Police will use the full force of the law to deal with anyone who keeps such items about their person.”

Comments(27)

mansak_hunt says...
10:29am Wed 1 Feb 12

"purely unintentional"
ha yeah right you unintentionally stabbed the policeman 3 times.
One less **** on our streets.

anonEmouse says...
12:46pm Wed 1 Feb 12

Yet another piece of scum, Not a long enough sentence as he could be out in half that time! Obviously not as strong a judge as the one who sentenced that other piece of scum Jake Brand.
How pathetic writing a letter of apology, he only wrote it because he got caught! and how his family can say he is an honest man? what honest man deals drugs and stabs someone!!
A good flogging then hang the scum. Thats whats needed.

anonEmouse says...
12:50pm Wed 1 Feb 12

Bournemouth echo, do you have an illiterate proof reader?

8th paragraph since when is Bournemouth spelled this way?

"Edward had stepped outside his flat in Surrey Road, Bourne-mouth"

Tommo. says...
12:55pm Wed 1 Feb 12

anonEmouse wrote:
Bournemouth echo, do you have an illiterate proof reader? 8th paragraph since when is Bournemouth spelled this way? "Edward had stepped outside his flat in Surrey Road, Bourne-mouth"
Hardly relevant.

anonEmouse says...
1:11pm Wed 1 Feb 12

Tommo. wrote:
anonEmouse wrote:
Bournemouth echo, do you have an illiterate proof reader? 8th paragraph since when is Bournemouth spelled this way? "Edward had stepped outside his flat in Surrey Road, Bourne-mouth"
Hardly relevant.
More relevant than your post, and the Echo often makes simple grammatical errors. Which simply should not happen especially since its the Bournemouth Echo and they should at least spell Bournemouth correctly. FYI I posted my comments on the subject above. Which is more than you have done. So whos post is relevant?

funkyferret says...
1:53pm Wed 1 Feb 12

At last! An effective sentence passed that might actually have some deterrant effect on other members of society contemplating similar deeds.
We all owe a big 'Thank you' to the judge for protecting society from this menace, and keeping us all inherantly safer.

Goonsquad says...
2:26pm Wed 1 Feb 12

funkyferret wrote:
At last! An effective sentence passed that might actually have some deterrant effect on other members of society contemplating similar deeds. We all owe a big 'Thank you' to the judge for protecting society from this menace, and keeping us all inherantly safer.
'Thank you to the judge for protecting society.....'?
What about the lads and lasses of Dorset Police who protect society by tackling armed drug dealers on cold, dark February nights?

Bewildered1 says...
3:05pm Wed 1 Feb 12

What pathetic punishment would he have got if he had not stabbed the policeman, I wonder? Get well soon PC Bartlett, and thanks to you and your colleagues.

contric says...
3:07pm Wed 1 Feb 12

will he actually be in jail for 25 years if he gets the usual time off for this that and the other he wont serve anything like 25 years also ds seymour saying he welcomed the sentence while i salute officers bravery i think some of them are as soft as the dopey judges this man will never be of any use to society and should rot inside

mansak_hunt says...
3:27pm Wed 1 Feb 12

contric wrote:
will he actually be in jail for 25 years if he gets the usual time off for this that and the other he wont serve anything like 25 years also ds seymour saying he welcomed the sentence while i salute officers bravery i think some of them are as soft as the dopey judges this man will never be of any use to society and should rot inside
If inside for over 10 years you must serve 2/3rds of sentence (minimum).
He'll serve about 16 years.

Bewildered1 says...
3:36pm Wed 1 Feb 12

The pink make-up should prove popular with the other jailed mugs.

WIGGINSv says...
3:57pm Wed 1 Feb 12

Another piece of S*** that shouldn't be in the Country.

Cookie75 says...
5:35pm Wed 1 Feb 12

I am no leftie etc. but what do you mean "that he shouldn't be in the country"

I would make a safe assumption that he was born here....and before I was born in this country (he is 45, I am 36)...therefore he has just as much right to be in THIS country...the country of his BIRTH as I have!

With regards to PC Bartlett, me and him formed a formidable defence in our school football team days (he was 8ft tall even then!) and he is a top guy. Sorry to hear that you had a 'fallback' but no doubts you will be back to full 'fitness' soon!

speedy231278 says...
6:46pm Wed 1 Feb 12

The double standards in this country sicken me. The law is only interested in proper convictions when it has been coppers under attack or taxes not paid. This thug gets 25 years for trying to kill a copper, yet a bunch of kids convicted of *actually* killing someone are out in literally a couple of years throwing out petulant posts on Facebook. I guess it's a sign the the law only looks after itself and anyone else can go and whistle for justice!

Goonsquad says...
10:51pm Wed 1 Feb 12

speedy231278 wrote:
The double standards in this country sicken me. The law is only interested in proper convictions when it has been coppers under attack or taxes not paid. This thug gets 25 years for trying to kill a copper, yet a bunch of kids convicted of *actually* killing someone are out in literally a couple of years throwing out petulant posts on Facebook. I guess it's a sign the the law only looks after itself and anyone else can go and whistle for justice!
....the Law's got to look after itself. In case you've been asleep for the past few months, there's no one else looking out for it! It also looks after you. When you're tucked up at night it's rolling around in the gutter with a crack head or creeping through your garden after the burglar or scraping someone's brains off the A338. When you get up and have your cornflakes , it'll all be OK and you'll not have a clue what's been done by people like PC Bartlett and his small (and getting smaller!) gang.

s-pb2 says...
11:14pm Wed 1 Feb 12

Goonsquad wrote:
speedy231278 wrote:
The double standards in this country sicken me. The law is only interested in proper convictions when it has been coppers under attack or taxes not paid. This thug gets 25 years for trying to kill a copper, yet a bunch of kids convicted of *actually* killing someone are out in literally a couple of years throwing out petulant posts on Facebook. I guess it's a sign the the law only looks after itself and anyone else can go and whistle for justice!
....the Law's got to look after itself. In case you've been asleep for the past few months, there's no one else looking out for it! It also looks after you. When you're tucked up at night it's rolling around in the gutter with a crack head or creeping through your garden after the burglar or scraping someone's brains off the A338. When you get up and have your cornflakes , it'll all be OK and you'll not have a clue what's been done by people like PC Bartlett and his small (and getting smaller!) gang.
Very well put Goonsquad. And Speedy you are way off the mark, the sentencing of Jake Brand only the day before demonstrates that

andydixon says...
6:31am Thu 2 Feb 12

mansak_hunt wrote:
contric wrote:
will he actually be in jail for 25 years if he gets the usual time off for this that and the other he wont serve anything like 25 years also ds seymour saying he welcomed the sentence while i salute officers bravery i think some of them are as soft as the dopey judges this man will never be of any use to society and should rot inside
If inside for over 10 years you must serve 2/3rds of sentence (minimum).
He'll serve about 16 years.
I don't know where you heard that. He'll be out in 12 and a half. The only exceptions to the 'half-way' parole are for lifers.

Thinker1 says...
1:24am Fri 3 Feb 12

Before all the sheep's herd,
One should think and look close at the details of the case. If they suspected him of 'drug dealing' is that not called a 'sting'? in order to catch a person they would need to catch them making a transaction. Secondly they did not find nothing on him but in the 'bush'mm. Look closely at his face, that is a sign of police brutality. Check the facts kicking the head of someone when they are unconscious explains the level of hatred. If PC Barlett states he shouted “Stop police” twice, you must deduce from the facts that, the officer was in plain clothes. Question before you is would a 'non-violent man' just stab an officer twice? Why would he be walking with a blade? Wait the writer neglected to tell the readers that he was doing his gardening. He did pleaded not-guilty because he is innocent of the the trumped up charges put forward by the wonderful police. Please before being a sheep, jumping on the bandwagon of persecution, be a free thinker and consider the above points that have been made. And do not believe that our institutions especially the police are squeaky clean. It is clear from some comments that british individuals have made, have a chip on their shoulder in with regards to nationality. Some are happy to remove the British status of an individual from a once held british colony. I dear say, that Jamaica as well as other Caribbean islands and Africa are still colonised through the back door which develop and maintain Britain. Quit the go home to your own country mantra. Get a grip.

andydixon says...
2:00am Fri 3 Feb 12

speedy231278 wrote:
The double standards in this country sicken me. The law is only interested in proper convictions when it has been coppers under attack or taxes not paid. This thug gets 25 years for trying to kill a copper, yet a bunch of kids convicted of *actually* killing someone are out in literally a couple of years throwing out petulant posts on Facebook. I guess it's a sign the the law only looks after itself and anyone else can go and whistle for justice!
I was nearly killed by an off-duty policeman 24 years ago in a road accident. Apparently on his way home from work although his shift finished 2 hours before and he lived 3 miles away from his station. I spent weeks in intensive care and hospital and will be in constant pain for life. It was a year before I could walk again.
He pleaded not guilty to driving without due care but unfortunately there were witnesses who forced the courts to accept the facts. I have no doubt that without these witnesses he would have been aquitted. He was also not breathalysed despite one witness telling me he smelled of drink.
Fortunately, the courts punished him severely with, umm, 3 points and a £100 fine. Probably the same as you or I would get for going past a speed camera doing 35 in a 30.

there are 2 sides to any story says...
7:49am Fri 3 Feb 12

I wont disrespect all you above for your comments as you commented on the facts given to you.

But are you aware that this was a plain clothes officer who was so anxious he didnt even identify himself but instead just jumped on the man and started to strangle him? NO you were not told that were you?

ok my question to all of you is
If you were in the privacy of your yard (not on the street) using your knife and some random person just out of the blue crept up, jumped on you and started to strangle you what would you do?

another question is do you think the police was going to go back to his supervisor and say i totally forgot to identify myself before i jumped on this man? OF COURSE NOT because he would have breached the PACE ACT 1984 which sets out how an arrest should be carried out. he would have been suspended from his job, he would have gotten no compensation for his injuries and this 'drug dealer' he is trying to get would be free.
so of course he was going to say he identified himself (he is protecting himself) and of course his fellow officer who were not even at the scene was going to support him.

people look at the wider picture dont be manipulated!

this man is not a mad man the drug they found on him was a wrapper smaller than a five pence coin tell me how much time could he have gotten for that?he would not even have gotten 5 minutes in a police station. so ask yourself why would he then stab this police and put himself in greater trouble????hmmmmm surface thinkers answer me

this man has no voilent convictions up until now neither has he got a mad certificate so why would he stab a police officer?????????????
???

the police officers say he done it to get away because he was caught dealing drug, WHAT DRUG? a wrapper of drug smaller than a 5pence coin come on now do you think this man is stupid what could they have done to him for that much?

there are 2 sides to any story says...
8:05am Fri 3 Feb 12

the reason i wont disrespect any of you commenting is because if i place myself in your situation with the way the matter was presented to you i prob would have made the same comments.
But come on man think deeper before you assasinate someone for something they are innocent of.
does being a drug dealer make you a murederer?

ThomasChant says...
12:49pm Fri 3 Feb 12

anonEmouse wrote:
Tommo. wrote:
anonEmouse wrote: Bournemouth echo, do you have an illiterate proof reader? 8th paragraph since when is Bournemouth spelled this way? "Edward had stepped outside his flat in Surrey Road, Bourne-mouth"
Hardly relevant.
More relevant than your post, and the Echo often makes simple grammatical errors. Which simply should not happen especially since its the Bournemouth Echo and they should at least spell Bournemouth correctly. FYI I posted my comments on the subject above. Which is more than you have done. So whos post is relevant?
"Which simply should not happen especially since it's (...ie 'it is', not 'its' which would indicate some form of possession) the Bournemouth Echo."
.
Also your last sentence should read "So whose post is relevant?", 'whose' meaning in this case 'belonging to who'.
.
Thought you might like to know as you feel so strongly that grammar is relevant. (My personal feeling is that although I appreciate good grammar, I empathise with a lot of people who are either dyslexic or rushed: as long as I can understand it... I am sure they can excel in other areas of their lives. Plus I am not unknown to make mistakes, so don't like to cast the first stone). I tend to agree with Tommo though. I am guessing that the mistake in the journalists report is due to some word processing programme used by the Echo that causes words to become hyphenated. Yes they should proof read it, but hey. If it really offends you maybe read your news elsewhere.
.
Best wishes to PC Barlett.

ThomasChant says...
12:52pm Fri 3 Feb 12

Journalist's.
.
I slap my own wrist!

s-pb2 says...
2:58pm Fri 3 Feb 12

there are 2 sides to any story wrote:
I wont disrespect all you above for your comments as you commented on the facts given to you.

But are you aware that this was a plain clothes officer who was so anxious he didnt even identify himself but instead just jumped on the man and started to strangle him? NO you were not told that were you?

ok my question to all of you is
If you were in the privacy of your yard (not on the street) using your knife and some random person just out of the blue crept up, jumped on you and started to strangle you what would you do?

another question is do you think the police was going to go back to his supervisor and say i totally forgot to identify myself before i jumped on this man? OF COURSE NOT because he would have breached the PACE ACT 1984 which sets out how an arrest should be carried out. he would have been suspended from his job, he would have gotten no compensation for his injuries and this 'drug dealer' he is trying to get would be free.
so of course he was going to say he identified himself (he is protecting himself) and of course his fellow officer who were not even at the scene was going to support him.

people look at the wider picture dont be manipulated!

this man is not a mad man the drug they found on him was a wrapper smaller than a five pence coin tell me how much time could he have gotten for that?he would not even have gotten 5 minutes in a police station. so ask yourself why would he then stab this police and put himself in greater trouble????hmmmmm surface thinkers answer me

this man has no voilent convictions up until now neither has he got a mad certificate so why would he stab a police officer?????????????

???

the police officers say he done it to get away because he was caught dealing drug, WHAT DRUG? a wrapper of drug smaller than a 5pence coin come on now do you think this man is stupid what could they have done to him for that much?
well thats not what the jury thought

there are 2 sides to any story says...
4:52pm Fri 3 Feb 12

obviously. but did they give it any thought or did they come there with their minds made up from what they have already heard? and for your information the verdict was not unanimous.

there are 2 sides to any story says...
5:01pm Fri 3 Feb 12

assuming you know what unanimous means and listen I dont speak imbecile so therefore unable to argue with you.

bbiff says...
5:59pm Fri 3 Feb 12

there are 2 sides to any story wrote:
assuming you know what unanimous means and listen I dont speak imbecile so therefore unable to argue with you.
There are two sides to every story. One side of the story is that you think that your comment is valid. The other is that most people probably think you are an imbecile.

PS- Whilst my grammar/ spelling is not the best and I apologise for any mistakes made in this comment. I suggest you start learning how to use full stops and start sentences with capital letters before you start calling people an imbecile.

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