18 March 2021|News, 

Knife  crime

A film crew member who stabbed his co-worker in the neck during a tea break at Warner Bros Studio in Leavesden has been convicted of wounding with intent.

Johnny Walker, 56, attacked stagehand Darren Langford during an argument at the film studio in June 2019, leaving him with a deep neck wound from which he was convinced he was going to die. Mr Langford needed internal and external stitches for the knife injury.

Giving evidence during the trial at St Albans Crown Court, Mr Langford said that Walker had been holding a grudge against him that came to a head during a tea break.

He recalled how, on the day of the attack, Walker deliberately cut in front of him to take the last cup of tea and, when he went to confront him about his behaviour, the defendant accused him of being a ‘grass’ and threatened to kill him.

Thinking Walker was merely going to punch him, Darren Langford pushed him away. He recounted then seeing a Stanley knife in Walker’s hand. He pleaded with the defendant to put the knife down as he tried to dodge backwards; but Walker lunged forward and stabbed him in the neck.

Jan Muller of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Walker denied intending to wound Mr Langford, but the CCTV evidence we presented in court showed how the argument between the two men escalated, with Walker then taking something from his back pocket and striking at his co-worker’s neck, clearly intending to cause him really serious injury.

“Walker’s vicious attack, which could very easily have had fatal consequences, has had a profound effect on his victim. We hope today’s conviction will go some way to helping him rebuild his life.”

CPS - 15th Feb:

Violent crime

A  man who tried to kill his GP with a crossbow has been sentenced to 20  years in prison for attempted murder today (15 February 2019).

Mark  Waterfall, 46, entered Suthergrey House Medical Centre in Watford on  the morning of 10 July last year, armed with a loaded crossbow hidden in  two carrier bags.

He  located the GP’s room at the surgery and pointed the crossbow at him  stating “you murdered my father, so I am going to kill you”. He then  fired the crossbow at close range and the metal tipped bolt entered the  doctor’s body, though not deep enough to fatally injure him.

Martin Mulgrew, from the CPS, said: “Mark Waterfall was intent on killing the GP when he went to his surgery.

“We  were able to present the court with evidence which showed his anger and  growing irrational hatred towards the doctor and other medical  professionals.

“And there was no doubt that the crossbow Waterfall chose was capable of inflicting fatal injury.

“The  doctor was extremely lucky to escape with his life that day after being  shot at such close range. And despite his injuries, he showed great  courage in putting the safety of others before his own, following the  defendant out of the surgery to persuade him to hand himself in.”

Waterfall was found guilty of attempted murder on 7 January 2019. He was jailed for 20 years at St Albans Crown Court.