Terrorist who attacked officers outside police station jailed for life

Glasgow Times

17 hours ago

Alexander Dighton, 28, knocked one officer unconscious and stabbed another in the leg when he launched an attack on Talbot Green Police Station in Rhondda Cynon Taf on January 31.
In a police interview after the attack, Dighton, of Pontyclun, said he did not consider the scope of damage, 'merely that blood had to be spilt'.
The court heard Dighton held racist and anti-Muslim views, with the judge saying the offences had a 'terrorist connection'.
Dighton also told officers he had kept a sharpened shovel to attack the police if they came to his home.
Judge Mark Lucraft KC, the Record of London, sentenced Dighton to life imprisonment and ordered him to serve a minimum of 22 years at the Old Bailey on Friday.
Dighton, who represented himself in court, showed no emotion as he was sentenced.
It was revealed during the hearing that Dighton had been referred to the anti-terrorism Prevent programme in January 2024 by his sister, who said her brother holds racist and anti-Muslim views, and is likely to be involved with incel groups.
Despite the referral, Dighton's Prevent case was closed after three weeks when it was decided he did not meet the criteria to be included on the scheme.
The judge said: 'It is clear that you continue to hold entrenched views.
'Other than the early guilty pleas, there is little else to be said to your credit.'
Screengrab from handout body-worn footage of Alexander Dighton outside Talbot Green Police Station in Rhondda Cynon Taf (Counter Terrorism Policing Wales/PA)
He said since Dighton's arrest, there had been a 'close investigation' into his activities.
'Of particular significance is a report to Prevent on the basis of the racist and anti-Muslim views you hold and the likelihood of being involved with incel groups,' he said.
'I note too various online activity that which shows an increasing fixation on issues such as diversity, paedophilia, immigration, anti-Islamic sentiments and dissatisfaction with the British Government.'
The incel movement – short for involuntary celibate – involves people who find themselves unsuccessful in relationships, often harbouring extreme and misogynistic views.
The judge said the officers, who were all experienced and deserved commendation, were 'deeply shocked by the nature and ferocity' of the attack.
'Some thought they were going to die as a result of what you had with you and what you were doing.
'Many speak of the anxiety, worry and sleepless nights for them and their families that have followed.'
Dighton arrived at the police station shortly before 7pm, where he lit a petrol bomb and threw it at a police van.
When that failed to ignite, he attempted to start a fire by pouring lighter fluid over the van before smashing the windows of two vehicles using a pole.
When confronted by officers, Dighton said 'I'm fed up, I'm done', before launching his attack.
Attempts to restrain him using a Taser were unsuccessful because he was wearing body armour.
Screengrab from handout CCTV footage of Alexander Dighton from Llantrisant attacking a police van (Counter Terrorism Policing Wales/PA)
He swung a pole at one officer, punched one in the head and stabbed another in the thigh, narrowly missing his femoral artery. Two of the three injured officers were taken to hospital for treatment.
The court also heard Dighton had recently been involved in an altercation with his neighbour, during which he used a homophobic slur.
A week before the incident, he had received a letter from the police telling him to attend a station to provide biometric samples in relation to the alleged public order offence.
In a police interview after the attack on the police station, Dighton said that he expected officers to go to his home to attempt to arrest him for not providing a sample.
Prosecutor Nicholas Hearn said: 'He intended to attack the police officers who attended with a shovel, which he had sharpened for that purpose, and that his intention at that time was to kill any police officers who attended.
'No officers in fact attended the defendant's address.'
During the interview, he also said his intention was to let it be known that 'his tolerance for the Government had come to an end' by causing as much damage as possible.
Mr Hearn said: '(Dighton) said that he had 'teetered' as to whether he wanted to kill someone and had not been 'fully decided'.'
The court heard that the defendant is neurodiverse and was diagnosed with a mood disorder, which may make him susceptible to the influence of others.
He spent a great deal of time online and in had a particular fascination with the video game Warhammer 40K, making reference in his diary to a character from the long-running series, called Vulkan.
He said: 'So with contempt as my armour, faith my shield and hatred my sword, let me be the emperor's wrath. For Vulkan, for the Emperor.'
Dighton, representing himself in court, spoke about violence being 'justified' against the state.
He referred to grooming gangs and 'Boris Johnson having parties while the country is locked down' during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The defendant added: 'People have such a short memory, it is terrible. 'I will be dead before I leave prison anyway, so that doesn't bother me.'
Dighton previously admitted 10 charges relating to the incident, including attempting to murder Detective Constable Jack Cotton and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent to Sergeant Richard Coleman.
He also admitted assaulting Pc Joshua Emlyn and threatening Pc Stephanie Fleming with an adapted wooden pole.
Dighton will be subject to terrorist notification requirements for 30 years.
Speaking after the case, Frank Ferguson of the Crown Prosecution Service said Dighton wanted to attack the Government and the state.
'We were able to show that Dighton's attack was not only pre-meditated and meticulously planned, but that his motivations were connected to terrorism,' he said.
'While it is not a criminal offence to hold extreme or offensive views, it is one to carry out attempted murder and attack police officers because of them.'
Chief Superintendent Stephen Jones, of South Wales Police, paid tribute to the 'bravery and professionalism' of the officers at the scene.
'Each officer is not just a public servant but also a husband, wife, or parent, and their families are undoubtedly deeply affected by incidents such as these that officers face daily,' he said.
'I want to also recognise the detectives' unwavering commitment throughout the investigation which is also commendable.'