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Man convicted of shooting officer | |
(40 minutes later) | |
A man has been found guilty of the attempted murder of a trainee Nottinghamshire police officer. | A man has been found guilty of the attempted murder of a trainee Nottinghamshire police officer. |
Trevon Kyron Thomas, 24, from Melford Road, Bilborough, fired three shots at Pc Rachael Bown when she was called to a burglary in Nottingham. | Trevon Kyron Thomas, 24, from Melford Road, Bilborough, fired three shots at Pc Rachael Bown when she was called to a burglary in Nottingham. |
During the trial, Thomas said he had fired the gun accidentally as he was overcome by CS gas sprayed at him by Pc Bown's colleague. | During the trial, Thomas said he had fired the gun accidentally as he was overcome by CS gas sprayed at him by Pc Bown's colleague. |
He was also found guilty at Nottingham Crown Court of possessing a firearm. | |
During the trial Thomas, who is originally from Trinidad and entered the UK in February 2000 on a six-month visitor's visa, told the jury he was carrying the Browning 9mm pistol, loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition, for "protection". | During the trial Thomas, who is originally from Trinidad and entered the UK in February 2000 on a six-month visitor's visa, told the jury he was carrying the Browning 9mm pistol, loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition, for "protection". |
He said he had previously witnessed a friend shot dead in the city and had been injured by a firearm himself a few years previously. | He said he had previously witnessed a friend shot dead in the city and had been injured by a firearm himself a few years previously. |
But the jury, who were not told about Thomas' immigration status, returned a unanimous guilty verdict on Tuesday. | But the jury, who were not told about Thomas' immigration status, returned a unanimous guilty verdict on Tuesday. |
Trevon Thomas is a dangerous man...he showed contempt for human life Det Ch Insp Dave Giles | |
The jury did not return a verdict on a third charge of possession of a firearm with intent to resist arrest. | |
Ms Bown, 24, was shot in the stomach while on patrol in the Lenton area of Nottingham on 14 February 2006. | Ms Bown, 24, was shot in the stomach while on patrol in the Lenton area of Nottingham on 14 February 2006. |
She suffered life-threatening injuries when she was shot below her body armour, while investigating reports of a burglary, and has still not returned to work. | |
Speaking after the trial, Pc Bown's father, Martin, spoke about the night his daughter was shot. | |
"On that dreaded night we opened the door to be told of every parent's worst nightmare. | |
Pc Rachael Bown suffered life-threatening injuries | |
"No one knows the horror, shock and worry that my wife and our two other daughters suddenly found ourselves in. Fortunately we were very lucky," he said. | |
In court, Thomas said he had fled the scene of the shooting on 14 February as police started to question him because he was scared he would be caught in possession of a firearm. | In court, Thomas said he had fled the scene of the shooting on 14 February as police started to question him because he was scared he would be caught in possession of a firearm. |
Paying tribute to the officers who were faced with a gunman as they responded to a call, Det Ch Insp Dave Giles from Nottinghamshire Police said: "Trevon Thomas is a dangerous man. He went out that night with a firearm. | |
"When compromised by uniformed officers, he did not hesitate to use it. He showed contempt for human life," he said. | |
Det Ch Insp Giles added he hoped the guilty verdict would act as a deterrent to others carrying guns. | |
Police caught up with Thomas as he sat on a plane for Trinidad at London's Heathrow Airport on 17 February. | Police caught up with Thomas as he sat on a plane for Trinidad at London's Heathrow Airport on 17 February. |
Thomas will be sentenced at a later date. | Thomas will be sentenced at a later date. |