A man has been sentenced to nine years behind bars for a horrific and unprovoked crossbow attack that left his neighbour with multiple stab wounds and a police officer shot in the chest.
The violent spree, which unfolded in a quiet Cambridgeshire community, saw 46-year-old Thomas White transform his home into a fortified arsenal, armed with a crossbow, knives, and an imitation firearm.
A Terrifying Ordeal Unfolds
The court heard how the incident began when White's neighbour, a man in his 40s, heard screaming coming from the property next door. Upon investigating, he was viciously ambushed by White, who stabbed him multiple times in the back, shoulder, and hand.
As police responded to the emergency call, the situation escalated dramatically. White barricaded himself inside and began firing bolts from his crossbow at the officers. One bolt struck PC Chris Cooper in the chest, miraculously embedding in his ballistic vest and sparing him from a fatal injury.
A Siege and a Standoff
The attack triggered a major police response, including the deployment of a specialist firearms unit and a negotiator. For hours, White refused to surrender, continuing his threatening behaviour from within the property.
He was eventually subdued and arrested, but not before exposing the emergency services to what a judge described as 'extreme and serious danger'.
Justice Served
At Cambridge Crown Court, White pleaded guilty to a litany of charges, including:
- Section 18 wounding with intent
- Attempting to wound with intent to resist arrest
- Possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence
- Assault by beating of an emergency worker
In addition to his prison sentence, White was handed an extended licence period of five years upon his release, recognising the ongoing danger he poses to the public.
Detective Sergeant Justin Parr condemned White's 'appalling and incredibly dangerous actions', praising the bravery of the officers involved and expressing relief that the outcome was not far more tragic.
