Kent Police Officer Describes ‘Cry of Anguish’ in Stabbing Trial

A police officer from Kent has testified in court that she will never forget hearing a “cry of anguish” as her colleague was stabbed by a man wielding a pair of scissors. Robert Jenner, 50, stands accused of the attempted murder of Kent Police constable Sean Quinn. The assault, which took place at the defendant’s flat in Albion Place, Maidstone, on 15 June last year, resulted in Mr Quinn suffering multiple injuries, including a “gaping wound” to his forehead that exposed his skull. Mr Jenner denies charges of attempted murder and wounding with intent. He previously informed the court that he was acting in self-defense against what he believed to be an unlawful arrest or unauthorized entry into his flat. A trial at Maidstone Crown Court heard that Mr. Jenner, described as “aggressive,” had barricaded his flat with a sofa before officers forcibly entered his home to arrest him. The court was told that Mr. Quinn followed Mr. Jenner into his kitchen living room, where the door closed behind him, and Mr. Jenner then “launched” himself at the officer, stabbing him 23 times in the head, face, and neck. On Wednesday, police constable Ashley Bates, speaking to jurors through tears, stated: “I heard, I’ll never forget it, a cry of anguish. I couldn’t tell who it was.” After she and two other officers gained entry to the room, navigating around the furniture blocking the flat entrance, she described seeing the two individuals on the floor in a position she called “spooning.” Ms. Bates recounted, “[Mr Quinn’s] head was covered in blood and there was a pool of blood just spilling out behind his head, it was horrific.” Ms. Bates stated that she struck Mr. Jenner five or six times on the back of his head before he released the pair of scissors. The court heard that Mr. Quinn and Ms. Bates had visited Mr. Jenner’s address after receiving reports of a man running naked in Mote Park, Maidstone. The officers testified that they suspected the man was Mr. Jenner and, after receiving further details that matched his profile, proceeded to arrest him. Christopher Jeyes, defending Mr. Jenner, contended that it was not necessary for the officers to seek Mr. Jenner’s arrest that day and that during their visit to his flat, the officers were “annoyed and frustrated.” However, Ms. Bates rejected this claim, adding: “I was there to arrest him, protect the people of Kent, particularly women and girls.” The trial continues.