MP's relief over Samurai attack conviction
An MP has spoken of his relief after the man who attacked him with a samurai sword was convicted of attempted murder.
Cheltenham MP Nigel Jones suffered horrific injuries to his hands after the attack by Robert Ashman, who also killed the politician's aide.
Mr Jones, 55, said: "It is good that after more than three years my side of the horrible events have been vindicated by a jury and I can try to forget the whole affair.
"But of course the loss of my friend Andrew Pennington will be with me forever."
Ashman hid his father's wartime sword beneath his clothes and used it to carry out a terrifying attack on the Liberal Democrat MP.
After a struggle, the MP escaped and Ashman turned on county councillor Mr Pennington, spearing him six times through his body.
Ashman, 52, had already admitted his manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility but denied trying to murder Mr Jones.
In a majority verdict, a jury at Bristol Crown Court yesterday found Ashman guilty of attempted murder at the then Liberal Democrat headquarters in St George's Street, Cheltenham, in January 2000.
Two years ago Ashman was found unfit to stand trial and has been at Broadmoor Hospital. Mrs Justice Hallett sent him back there until sentencing in 12 weeks' time.
She said Ashman could face a hospital order or prison term, but that "the protection of the public" was foremost in her mind.
During the trial the jury was told how Ashman was a regular visitor to the MP's weekly surgery and was obsessed with what he saw as his legal rights after losing his job and home.
The psychiatrist said Ashman was suffering from a delusional disorder, known as paranoid psychosis.
Ashman admitted carrying out the attack but claimed he had not intended to kill the MP.
Mr Jones told the jury how Ashman had ceremoniously drawn the two-and-a-half foot weapon and lunged towards his heart with it.
He described how he managed to grab the blade and felt the pinging of a tendon as a growling Ashman tried to work it into him.
It is believed Mr Pennington struck Ashman, allowing Mr Jones to escape but the 39-year-old himself was then fatally wounded.
Witnesses saw Ashman leave the building with blood dripping from the sword. He was arrested shortly afterwards.
Detective Superintendent Wayne Murdock, who led the investigation, described Ashman as a "very dangerous man".
Speaking after the verdict he said: "We've always contended that he (Ashman) went there and his main target was Nigel Jones.
"But for the courage of Andrew Pennington he
would quite possibly have succeeded."
Mr Pennington was posthumously awarded the George Medal for gallantry for saving Mr Jones's life.
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