Geezah
02-10-2006, 10:05 AM
A DECORATED former soldier walked free from court after firing a starting pistol when two men threatened him on his doorstep.
But ex-special forces soldier Colin Tattersdale is now in hiding after one of the men told the court: "I want him out on the street so I can do him myself."
Mr Tattersdale was cleared of all charges after a jury at Knutsford Crown Court heard he had acted to protect his home from two brothers - Lee and Rick Mason - who had been drinking all day. During a four-day trial, the court heard how the 51-year-old Falklands veteran, who has two medals for distinguished service and a UN commendation, had been fixing a starting pistol he used at work when the intercom buzzed at his flat on Pitt Street, Macclesfield, in March last year.
He heard the front door being kicked, so, he ran downstairs still holding the pistol.
He told the court: "I know from past experience that the door, if forced, will open quite easily. I had a second to make up my mind whether to barricade myself in and call the police or go down and put my shoulder to the door."
As he pushed Lee Mason back he accidentally fired the starting pistol.
'Scrum'
Mr Tattersdale said he didn't realise that he had the gun and denied the charges of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear and unlawful wounding.
Karl Scholz, prosecuting, said that the gun was fired once, and a "scrum" ensued which left Lee Mason needing nine stitches to the top and side of his head.
It was claimed that as Lee Mason was pushed back Mr Tattersdale was told: "If you don't open the door I will kill you." Mr Scholz told the jury: "Both brothers have form as long as your arm and are not the type of people that you would readily invite into your home - but it is not unusual for a villain to be the victim of crime."
Under cross-examination Lee Mason, whose brother admitted they had been drinking all day, told the court: "I don't care about this court case - I want him (Colin Tattersdale) out on the streets so I can do him myself." David Morton, defending, said that they had gone to the doorstep of "Colin Tattersdale's piece of England" intent on smashing their way in.
They become abusive, menacing with violence, and downright dangerous. He said: "In my submission it was a situation of life and death and they brought it upon themselves."
After the hearing Mr Tattersdale, a divorced father-of two, said he had gone into hiding for fear of reprisals.
Link (http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/men/news/s/203/203847_free_raid_victim_who_fired_a_gun.html)
.............
But ex-special forces soldier Colin Tattersdale is now in hiding after one of the men told the court: "I want him out on the street so I can do him myself."
Mr Tattersdale was cleared of all charges after a jury at Knutsford Crown Court heard he had acted to protect his home from two brothers - Lee and Rick Mason - who had been drinking all day. During a four-day trial, the court heard how the 51-year-old Falklands veteran, who has two medals for distinguished service and a UN commendation, had been fixing a starting pistol he used at work when the intercom buzzed at his flat on Pitt Street, Macclesfield, in March last year.
He heard the front door being kicked, so, he ran downstairs still holding the pistol.
He told the court: "I know from past experience that the door, if forced, will open quite easily. I had a second to make up my mind whether to barricade myself in and call the police or go down and put my shoulder to the door."
As he pushed Lee Mason back he accidentally fired the starting pistol.
'Scrum'
Mr Tattersdale said he didn't realise that he had the gun and denied the charges of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear and unlawful wounding.
Karl Scholz, prosecuting, said that the gun was fired once, and a "scrum" ensued which left Lee Mason needing nine stitches to the top and side of his head.
It was claimed that as Lee Mason was pushed back Mr Tattersdale was told: "If you don't open the door I will kill you." Mr Scholz told the jury: "Both brothers have form as long as your arm and are not the type of people that you would readily invite into your home - but it is not unusual for a villain to be the victim of crime."
Under cross-examination Lee Mason, whose brother admitted they had been drinking all day, told the court: "I don't care about this court case - I want him (Colin Tattersdale) out on the streets so I can do him myself." David Morton, defending, said that they had gone to the doorstep of "Colin Tattersdale's piece of England" intent on smashing their way in.
They become abusive, menacing with violence, and downright dangerous. He said: "In my submission it was a situation of life and death and they brought it upon themselves."
After the hearing Mr Tattersdale, a divorced father-of two, said he had gone into hiding for fear of reprisals.
Link (http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/men/news/s/203/203847_free_raid_victim_who_fired_a_gun.html)
.............