From a killer who took the life of his prison cellmate, to a thief who stole a life-saving bleed kit, it has been another busy week in the Bristol legal system. Here, we bring you a round-up of all those brought to justice in the city this week.
The crime stories list this week also includes a trio who have been arrested after a spate of more than 20 phone thefts around Bristol city centre – and there are still people being charged and sentenced for their roles in the Bristol riots in the summer.
Here’s the full list from the past seven days…
Michael Harkin, 35
On Friday, 11 October, Michael Harkin was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order after being convicted of manslaughter by diminished responsibility, for the killing of 38-year-old Dan Childs, his cellmate at HMP Bristol.
Bristol Crown Court had heard that Harkin had had two different cellmates in the days leading up to the killing of Mr Childs on June 5, 2023. The first cellmate had requested to be moved to a different cell as he said “there was something not right” about Harkin.
On the day of Mr Childs’ death, Harkin had also attacked his former cellmate in the showers, using an improvised blade to wound the man on his face, shoulder, neck, arms and leg.
It was as prison staff went to check on Mr Childs after this attack, that they found him unresponsive in his cell, and he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
A jury, having heard evidence from medical experts during the course of a 16-day trial, found Harkin not guilty of murder following a direction by the judge – but they did convict Harkin of manslaughter by diminished responsibility.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Nadine Partridge, speaking on Harkin’s conviction, said: “Our thoughts are with Mr Childs’ family who had their much-loved son, brother and uncle taken away from them.”
You can read the full details of Harkin’s sentencing here.
Jack Nichols, 33
On Monday, 14 October, Jack Nichols, from Wells, became the 33rd person to be sentenced for being involved in the Bristol riots back at the beginning of August. He was handed a 28-month jail term for throwing objects at a police officer, and a beer keg at a police vehicle, during the disorder.
Bristol Crown Court was shown CCTV and police officer body-worn video footage of Nichols’ actions in Bristol on Saturday 3 August, in which he was seen as part of the group at various points in Castle Park, on Bristol Bridge, and at Redcliffe Roundabout.
He could be seen throwing objects towards police officers, with one hitting a police dog handler, before later throwing a metal beer keg at a police vehicle.
You can read the full details of Nichols’ sentencing here. You can also visit here for a full list of all those arrested, charged, sentenced, and still wanted by police for their roles in the Bristol disorder.
Ryan Horler, 42
A thief has avoided jailtime after stealing a lifesaving bleed kit in Bristol. Ryan Horler, from Hartcliffe, admitted stealing the vital piece of equipment from Frogmore Street on Sunday, August 11, along with nine other thefts.
Bleed kits have been installed across the city after a rise in knife crime across Bristol in the last year. The kit stolen by Horler was one of more than 350 in the region. They are kept in unlocked cabinets and can be used to stop catastrophic bleeding before emergency services arrive at an incident.
Avon and Somerset Police said the one in Frogmore Street was replaced within an hour of being reported. Horler, 42, was also charged with theft of a bike on May 19, as well as eight counts of theft from shops between July 5 and September 21.
He pleaded guilty to all 10 offences at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on September 25, and was handed a 16-week prison sentence at the same court on Tuesday, 15 October, suspended for 18 months. You can read the full details here.
Trio arrested for spate of phone thefts
A man in his 20s, and a male and female in their teens, were arrested on Thursday (October 17) by officers investigating thefts of mobile phones from pedestrians in Bristol by the riders of an electric motorbike.
Over 20 reports have been made so far this month of two people on an electric motorbike targeting pedestrians waiting at bus stops or crossing points, with the pillion passenger taking the phones. They’re described as wearing black clothing, with their faces covered.
The incidents have taken place in areas around the city centre including Colston Avenue, The Horsefair, Park Street, Prince Street, Redcliff Hill, Rupert Street, St Augustine’s Parade, Union Street and Whiteladies Road. Most of those targeted have been aged in their teens or 20s, but there have been older victims as well.
The two teens arrested have since been released on bail, and the man in his 20s has been released under investigation. You can read the full details here, including top tips from police on how to deter phone thieves.
Witness appeal: assault in Hartcliffe
Finally, Avon and Somerset are appealing for witnesses after two people were left needing hospital treatment following an assault in Hartcliffe earlier this month.
On October 5, at around midday, a woman was assaulted by another woman in Gatehouse Avenue in Hartcliffe, suffering a bite injury and bruising. A man tried to intervene but was also assaulted, and suffered a head injury. Both victims were taken to hospital for treatment.
A 36-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of two counts of causing actual bodily harm, and has been released on conditional bail as enquiries continue.
Anyone who witnessed this incident, or who may have relevant information or doorbell/mobile phone footage, is urged to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 5224262578, or fill in an online appeals form.