Burglar on trial confesses guilt in a whisper

A BURGLAR who used a crowbar to attack a policeman was convicted when he admitted the offence under his breath in court.

Francis Overend, 47, had been interrupted by Pc Alec Healy while attempting to prise open the patio doors of a house in Coventry with a crowbar in January. He had denied hitting the officer over the head with the bar causing a serious injury, claiming he had been attempting to give himself up.

He was on trial with Warren Thomas, 42, from Liverpool, at Warwick Crown Court.

Amy Jackson, prosecuting, told the court: “They are here because a neighbour called the police, and they were disturbed by those police officers arriving.

“Mr Thomas runs off, but Mr Overend decides he doesn’t want to run, and he attacks Pc Alex Healy with a crowbar.” Overend was subdued when other officers arrived to help their injured colleague.

During cross-examination, Overend said: “When I saw the figure come round, because he was all in black I didn’t know he was a police officer until he was a couple of feet away, and I started walking with my hands up.”

However, he then whispered: “And that’s when I hit him.” Overend then denied having made the comment and the trial was adjourned so that lawyers could listen to a recording of proceedings.

After the jury heard the tape played back, Overend was found guilty of wounding the officer with intent to evade arrest or to cause him grievous bodily harm.

Overend, of no fixed address, had previously admitted a charge of attempted burglary. At the time of the incident he was out of prison on licence, having been given a life sentence in 2002 for taking two policemen prisoner at gunpoint.

Thomas was convicted of attempted burglary and going equipped for burglary. He was also out on licence from a 17-year sentence for a series of armed robberies at banks.

Both men were remanded in custody before sentencing.