This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/south_west/7920406.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Ex-Pc's killer 'like a vigilante' | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A "self appointed vigilante" has been jailed for 10 years for killing a former policeman who had been charged with possessing child pornography. | |
Daniel Williams, 30, was found guilty of the manslaughter of Geoffrey Harries, 49, after stabbing him 20 times outside his Carmarthenshire home. | Daniel Williams, 30, was found guilty of the manslaughter of Geoffrey Harries, 49, after stabbing him 20 times outside his Carmarthenshire home. |
He claimed self-defence at Swansea Crown Court after being attacked. | |
But the judge said he could expect "severe punishment" if carrying a knife on the streets resulted in a death. | |
Williams lived seven doors away from his victim in Trimsaran in June 2008. | Williams lived seven doors away from his victim in Trimsaran in June 2008. |
He was cleared of murdering Mr Harries on Friday at Swansea Crown Court, claiming he acted in self-defence. | He was cleared of murdering Mr Harries on Friday at Swansea Crown Court, claiming he acted in self-defence. |
Williams, who had denied murdering Mr Harries, had told the jury he believed the former policeman was going to kill him. | Williams, who had denied murdering Mr Harries, had told the jury he believed the former policeman was going to kill him. |
He said he had been trying to leave the scene in Dythel Park after using a 7in combat knife to puncture a tyre on Mr Harries's car. | He said he had been trying to leave the scene in Dythel Park after using a 7in combat knife to puncture a tyre on Mr Harries's car. |
He said the ex-policeman ran after him and attacked him. His defence in court was that he struck out in self defence without realising he was still holding the knife. | He said the ex-policeman ran after him and attacked him. His defence in court was that he struck out in self defence without realising he was still holding the knife. |
Sentencing Williams, Mr Justice Flaux said: "If you carry a knife on the streets you must expect severe punishment if that knife is used to cause the death of someone." | Sentencing Williams, Mr Justice Flaux said: "If you carry a knife on the streets you must expect severe punishment if that knife is used to cause the death of someone." |
He added: "You set yourself up as some sort of self-proclaimed vigilante." | |
He went on to say that it was clear from the evidence that "some form of verbal altercation" had also taken place between him and Mr Harries in the street. | |
Justice Flaux told the court that he had read a "deeply affecting" victim impact statement written by Elizabeth Harries, the widow of the former policeman. | |
He also told Williams that, in passing sentence, he had to have in mind "the devastating effect that your action has had on the family of Mr Harries". | |
Indecent images | Indecent images |
Williams told the jury Mr Harries had hit him, pinned him to the ground and had his forearm on his throat. | |
He said he then tried to hit Mr Harries but had no intention of doing anything to him. | He said he then tried to hit Mr Harries but had no intention of doing anything to him. |
After Mr Harries jumped off him, Williams told the jury he sprinted away. | After Mr Harries jumped off him, Williams told the jury he sprinted away. |
The court heard Williams had previously slashed a tyre on Harries's car and poured brake fluid over the bonnet. | The court heard Williams had previously slashed a tyre on Harries's car and poured brake fluid over the bonnet. |
The prosecution claimed that Williams was angry after hearing that the former Pc was awaiting trial accused of having 2,082 indecent images of children. | The prosecution claimed that Williams was angry after hearing that the former Pc was awaiting trial accused of having 2,082 indecent images of children. |
Mr Harries and his wife had moved from Pembrey to live with his mother in Dythel Park, but the trial heard neighbours were unhappy about his presence. | Mr Harries and his wife had moved from Pembrey to live with his mother in Dythel Park, but the trial heard neighbours were unhappy about his presence. |
The jury reached a majority verdict of 10-2 on the manslaughter charge on Monday. | The jury reached a majority verdict of 10-2 on the manslaughter charge on Monday. |