Terrorist who attacked police to serve at least 22 years

AN ANTI-ISLAM terrorist who attacked officers with Molotov cocktails and a hatchet outside a police station has been jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 22 years in prison.

- GEORGE THOMPSON

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”.

He 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.

Dighton also admitted assaulting PC Joshua Emlyn and threatening PC Stephanie Fleming with an adapted wooden pole.

On Friday, June 13, Judge Mark Lucraft KC sentenced Dighton, who had been referred to the anti-terrorism programme Prevent in January 2024, to life imprisonment and ordered him to serve a minimum of 22 years.

The judge told the defendant, who represented himself in court, that the offences had “a terrorist connection”.

He 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.”

The judge said the police officers that encountered Dighton were experienced.

He added: “Whilst they accept potential violence and difficult confrontations are part of the role of being a police officer, they were all deeply shocked by the nature and ferocity of your attack.”