Stockport Express

Car crook who killed Pc is behind bars again

- CHRIS OSHU

AKILLER who mowed down a police officer in a stolen BMW is back behind bars after returning to car crime.

Stephen Benson was jailed in 2011 for knocking down Pc Mike Silcock while speeding down Didsbury Road in Heaton Mersey two years earlier.

Pc Silcock, 30, was thrown into the air during the collision and suffered fatal head injuries.

Benson was branded ‘low-life criminal scum’ by the family of Pc Silcock, who was off duty and enjoying a night out with Pc Sam Billington when he was killed.

Benson admitted causing death by careless driving. But in 2013, soon after being released after serving half his 46-month sentence, he was back in trouble for handling goods stolen during a raid in which the homeowners’ children were threatened.

Now Benson has ended up back in the dock after the owners of a stolen car caught him sitting in it in a bizarre turn of events.

The 30-year-old career criminal, of Windmill Lane, Denton, admitted handling stolen goods and has been jailed for a year.

The victims’ Burnage home was burgled on February 15 and their Audi Q7 – worth around £17,000 – was taken. Hours later the couple got a call telling them that some of their property could be found near Denton Golf Club.

They went to the area in another vehicle and found a trail of their property – including bank and store cards, and a child’s booster seat – strewn along the road.

They then spotted their stolen car and pulled up behind it.

The vehicle – which was driven by Benson’s girlfriend – reversed back into them.

Benson then began aggressive­ly demanding £500 for the damage – before being told by the couple that the car belonged to them.

Benson and his girlfriend then fled on foot, but the victims were able to take a picture of him making off and his DNA was recovered from the stolen vehicle.

Benson has lengthy criminal record, mostly for car crime.

The court heard he claimed he had paid £300 for the Audi Q7.

Sending him down, Judge Michael Henshell said: “The starting point (for sentence) must move up because of the fact of your record. You have got to recognise that as you get older, this is what’s going to happen.”

 ??  ?? Stephen Benson who killed off duty Pc Mike Silcock (inset)
Stephen Benson who killed off duty Pc Mike Silcock (inset)

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