Man who killed intruder will not face charges

A 72-year-old man who stabbed an armed robber to death will not be charged, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has said.

In July this year, Cecil Coley was confronted by four men in his florist in Greater Manchester. One of the intruders, Gary Mullins, was fatally stabbed in the incident and Mr Coley was arrested on suspicion of murder.

However, the CPS said subsequent evidence showed that Mr Coley was acting in reasonable self-defence and used the degree of force that he believed was necessary when he fatally stabbed the 30-year-old and injured another intruder.

Prosecutor Nazir Afzal said Mr Coley was confronted by the men as he locked up his shop in Old Trafford. During the incident he took hold of a knife that was on the shop counter and struck out with it acting in a way that he felt instinctively necessary to protect himself.

Mr Afzal said there is insufficient evidence to prosecute Mr Coley and that he would not face any charges for injuring another intruder.

Chief Superintendent Mark Roberts, of Greater Manchester Police, said: “When presented with the circumstances of that evening the correct decision was to make the arrests. It was crucial that we conducted a thorough and open-minded investigation into the events.

“I am satisfied that we provided the full facts of the case to the CPS to enable them to make an appropriate decision.”

The CPS added that householders, shopkeepers and those going about their lawful day to day activities would be protected by the law if they used reasonable force to protect themselves, their family or their property.

Three mean, Kyle Mullings, 18, Joseph Junior Mullings, 24, and Nathan Walters, 25, have all been charged with robbery.

They are due to appear before Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on October 13.