PC Keith Blakelock murder trial: ‘Flame weapon’ used on unit in riot

PC Keith Blakelock (PA)

PC Keith Blakelock’s unit came under attack with a “flame-type thrower” before he was hacked to death by a mob during the first Tottenham riots, a jury has heard.

The disturbances on the night of 6 October 1985 saw a group of officers trying to protect firefighters under attack by a large group of youths on the Broadwater Farm estate. The trial at the Old Bailey of Nicky Jacobs, 45, for the murder of PC Blakelock heard that bricks, bottles and petrol bombs rained down on the policemen. Jacobs denies murder.

In a statement given two days after the riots and read out in court by prosecutor Richard Whittam QC, one of the officers said that he had seen a “flame-type thrower”. PC Alan Tappy said that as the officers tried to escape, he became aware of a “bundle on the grass” whom the mob were “stabbing and clubbing”.

He added: “Keith was lying face-down and I thought he was dead.

“We grabbed hold of Keith’s shoulders and made an attempt to move him but couldn’t. I remember one side of his neck had a wound, a gaping wound.”

The case continues.

PA