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PC Keith Blakelock: Nicholas Jacobs to be released Cleared Blakelock suspect 'yet to be freed'
(about 7 hours later)
A man cleared of killing police officer Keith Blakelock during riots in north London in 1985 is expected to be released from prison later. The solicitor of the man cleared of killing PC Keith Blakelock in the 1985 Tottenham riots has criticised the authorities for keeping him in prison.
Nicholas Jacobs, 45, was found not guilty of the murder and manslaughter of the officer, who was stabbed 43 times at Broadwater Farm in Tottenham. Nicholas Jacobs, 45, was found not guilty on Wednesday of the murder and manslaughter of the officer who was stabbed 43 times at Broadwater Farm.
An Old Bailey jury took four hours to deliver its verdicts on Wednesday. But he was kept in prison overnight as administrative offices had closed.
Mr Jacobs' supporters said he was kept in Belmarsh jail overnight because administrative offices had closed. His solicitor Tony Meisels said: "It's almost like the last small laugh of the police, to keep him an extra night."
He is expected to be freed on Thursday morning. 'Extremely unusual'
After the verdict Mr Jacobs was returned to Belmarsh prison for the relevant paperwork to be carried out, but Mr Meisels said, despite ample warning, the officers involved went home.
He said: "It is extremely unusual and I've never come across it before and it's a shame.
"The comment I was told from one of the senior prison officers was that 'this case is of a high media profile and we don't want to release him in error'.
"'He doesn't get the experience of walking out the font doors of the Old Bailey."
In a statement, the Ministry of Justice said it did not comment on individual cases.
It added: "Public safety is our priority and prisons must be satisfied there are no outstanding legal issues before releasing an acquitted prisoner."
Mr Jacobs is expected to be freed on Thursday morning.
PC Blakelock was attacked on the night of 6 October 1985 while protecting firefighters tackling blazes started during the riots.PC Blakelock was attacked on the night of 6 October 1985 while protecting firefighters tackling blazes started during the riots.
He was repeatedly stabbed and attempts made to decapitate him. He was repeatedly stabbed and attempts were made to decapitate him.
The jury at Mr Jacobs' trial heard from three witnesses who said they saw the then 16-year-old take part in the attack, but his defence team questioned their credibility. The jury at Mr Jacobs' trial heard from three witnesses who claimed they saw the then 16-year-old take part in the attack, but his defence team questioned their credibility.
Mr Jacobs was the seventh person to be charged over PC Blakelock's death, but no-one has been successfully prosecuted for the killing.Mr Jacobs was the seventh person to be charged over PC Blakelock's death, but no-one has been successfully prosecuted for the killing.
In 1987 three men were convicted of the murder, before being freed four years later on appeal.In 1987 three men were convicted of the murder, before being freed four years later on appeal.
'Get anyone''Get anyone'
PC Blakelock's family said in a statement issued on Wednesday: "We viewed this trial as an opportunity to see some form of justice served for Keith.PC Blakelock's family said in a statement issued on Wednesday: "We viewed this trial as an opportunity to see some form of justice served for Keith.
"We hope that more people are able to come forward so that some of those guilty can be brought to justice in the future.""We hope that more people are able to come forward so that some of those guilty can be brought to justice in the future."
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, said: "We accept the decision of the jury and our work to bring those responsible for Keith's murder to justice will not stop." Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said: "We accept the decision of the jury and our work to bring those responsible for Keith's murder to justice will not stop."
Meanwhile Winston Silcott, who had his 1987 conviction for murdering PC Blakelock overturned, said: "The police are bitter about what happened, that's why they brought this case.Meanwhile Winston Silcott, who had his 1987 conviction for murdering PC Blakelock overturned, said: "The police are bitter about what happened, that's why they brought this case.
"My conclusion is that they had promised the Blakelock family that they would get justice for him and so they were trying to get anyone they could.""My conclusion is that they had promised the Blakelock family that they would get justice for him and so they were trying to get anyone they could."