This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-26960690

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Jacobs cleared of Blakelock killing PC Keith Blakelock: Nicholas Jacobs cleared of killing officer
(35 minutes later)
A man has been cleared of killing police officer Keith Blakelock during riots in north London in 1985.A man has been cleared of killing police officer Keith Blakelock during riots in north London in 1985.
Nicholas Jacobs, 45, denied murdering the officer, who was stabbed 43 times at Broadwater Farm in Tottenham.Nicholas Jacobs, 45, denied murdering the officer, who was stabbed 43 times at Broadwater Farm in Tottenham.
At the Old Bailey, the jury heard from three witnesses who said they saw Mr Jacobs take part, but his defence team questioned their credibility. The Old Bailey jury heard from three witnesses who said they saw Mr Jacobs take part, but his defence team questioned their credibility.
On Wednesday, after four hours of deliberations, Mr Jacobs was found not guilty of murder and manslaughter.On Wednesday, after four hours of deliberations, Mr Jacobs was found not guilty of murder and manslaughter.
PC Blakelock, 40, was killed as he tried to protect firefighters tackling a blaze at the height of the unrest on the Broadwater Farm estate in north London in October 1985. Mr Jacobs stood up, held his head in his hands and punched the air as the verdicts were delivered. He then sat down and sobbed before being taken from the dock.
'Extraordinary patience'
PC Blakelock's family looked distraught. One of his three sons held his head in his hands, while his widow, Elizabeth, left the court soon after the verdicts were returned.
Defence lawyer Courtenay Griffiths QC said outside the courtroom: "I'm delighted, I think the jury reached exactly the right verdicts. Now I have to go and see my client."
Following the verdict, Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said: "Sadly, Keith's widow, family and friends still have not seen anyone brought to justice for his murder.
"The dignity, extraordinary patience and courage they have shown in their nearly 30-year quest for justice is humbling.
"We will not give up on bringing Keith's killers to justice."
Retired policeman Richard Coombes, 63, who survived the Broadwater Farm attack, said: "The jury has reached its decision and we must all respect that."
PC Blakelock, 40, was killed as he tried to protect firefighters tackling a blaze at the height of the unrest on the Broadwater Farm estate on 6 October 1985.
During his trial, the jury also heard Mr Jacobs, who was 16 at the time of the disturbance, had allegedly written a poem, while serving time in a juvenile detention centre, in which he boasted about "chopping" at the officer.During his trial, the jury also heard Mr Jacobs, who was 16 at the time of the disturbance, had allegedly written a poem, while serving time in a juvenile detention centre, in which he boasted about "chopping" at the officer.
But his defence team claimed his account of the wounds PC Blakelock received did not match up with the officer's post-mortem examination. But his defence team claimed his account of the wounds the officer received did not match up with the post-mortem examination.
The judge said Mr Jacobs had been within his rights not to give evidence during his trial and the jury could draw their own conclusions about his decision not to take the witness stand.The judge said Mr Jacobs had been within his rights not to give evidence during his trial and the jury could draw their own conclusions about his decision not to take the witness stand.