A police officer has described how he twice shot John Henry Sayers with a taser after he allegedly refused to drop a machete following an arson attack on his home in Byker, Newcastle. The incident occurred last February when a gang of men rammed a Range Rover into Sayers' property and set it ablaze, turning it into a "fireball," jurors at the Old Bailey have heard.
Police Response to the Arson Attack
Two police officers passing by stopped when they saw the burning Range Rover on Fossway, Byker. One of them, PC Hastie, said Sayers senior had a machete in his hand held down by his side and said words to the effect of 'get him some healthcare,' referring to Walter Patterson, the alleged arsonist. PC Hastie told the Central Criminal Court in London: "It was a fairly dynamic incident. I didn't really know what was going on."
He added: "I had a vehicle on fire, there was a potentially injured male on the ground. He (Sayers) began to leave the scene. He told me to f*** off and picked up the pace."
Taser Deployment
PC Hastie said he pursued Sayers and repeatedly ordered him to drop the weapon. "He was still armed with a weapon and I didn't know what his intention was," the officer said. "He was heading back towards the scene of the initial incident. I began to pursue Mr Sayers senior on foot. I identified myself as a police officer in possession of a taser."
According to PC Hastie, the first taser deployment was ineffective. "He turned around still armed with a machete. I then discharged a second taser cartridge into the front of John Henry Sayers and that was effective and dropped him to the floor. The machete was dropped from his hand and landed on the ground."
Background of Threats
Sayers' barrister, Michael Holland KC, referred to an attack two days before the incident. He said a car was set on fire in "garage premises right outside Mr Sayers' front door." Footage showed what remained of John Henry Sayers junior's car, which was "entirely burnt out." The court was told Patterson was one of two men who carried out that earlier attack.
Mr Holland put it to Det Sgt Darren Davies during his evidence: "There was, at one time, information in the possession of the police that the Freeman group were trying to recruit an assassin to kill Mr Sayers and discussed whether that could be achieved in front of his children." Det Sgt Davies replied: "I genuinely have no idea about that."
Defense Argument
Referring to the February 2 incident, Mr Holland asked: "Do you accept that night, Mr Sayers had every reason to think an attack on his house was likely to be accompanied by a very real intention to kill him or cause him really serious harm." Det Sgt Davies responded: "I don't disagree with you."
Sayers senior, 62, and Sayers junior, 29, both of Fossway, Byker, Newcastle, deny causing grievous bodily harm with intent. The trial continues.
