Crossbow man shot dead by police was under restraining order for stalking

A MAN shot dead by police while armed with a crossbow was a convicted stalker who was under a five year restraining order at the time.

- Tristan Kirk, John Dunne, Anthony France

Bryce Hodgson, 30, was killed after he was caught trying to force his way into a home in Surrey Quays, south east London at around 5am yesterday.

Crossbows, a knife, a sword and a hatchet were found at the house, police said later. Hodgson, who was wearing body armour, was given first aid but died at the scene.

Last July, he was sentenced to a 16-week suspended prison sentence at Croydon Magistrates' Court for stalking a 31-year-old woman.

He pleaded guilty to causing serious alarm and distress to her by entering her bedroom without consent, sending texts messages demanding that she open her door and describing vivid sexual fantasies between January 1 and April 29 last year.

Hodgson was spared an immediate spell in prison with the court noting his "previous good character".