Father and Son Convicted of Vigilante Murder in Ipswich
David King, 55, and his son Edward King, 19, both from Radnor Close, Ipswich, have been found guilty of murder after a 10-week trial at Ipswich Crown Court. The chilling case dates back to June 2021 when they took the law into their own hands.
Night of the Fatal Stabbing
In the early hours of 20 June 2021, David King called 999 claiming a man was trying to steal from his car on Moreton Hall estate. He admitted holding a knife during the incident and said the man had fled after allegedly being injured.
Police arriving on the scene found David King on Winsford Road, where the stabbing had taken place. The victim, later identified as 47-year-old Neil Charles from Bury St Edmunds, was discovered with a serious stab wound to the chest and rushed to Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Tragically, Mr Charles died two days later.
Weapons and Vigilante Justice
- David King was armed with a Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife – a deadly double-edged dagger.
- Edward King carried a 27-inch Ninja Sword.
- Both weapons were used to attack Neil Charles: the fighting knife delivered the fatal chest wound, while the Ninja Sword inflicted a knee injury and damaged Charles’s pushbike.
Despite monitoring the situation via their own CCTV, the Kings never contacted the police to intervene. Instead, they pursued Mr Charles, who had a history of theft and burglary, and confronted him far from their home.
Trial and Verdict: Vigilantism Unmasked
Both defendants denied intending to kill Neil Charles. David claimed Mr Charles ran onto his knife during the confrontation. But the prosecution exposed their premeditated vigilante plan, backed by text message evidence showing their fascination with weapons and desire to punish alleged criminals themselves.
The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict. The Kings remain in custody ahead of their sentencing, with the date at Ipswich Crown Court yet to be announced.
This tragic case shines a harsh spotlight on dangerous DIY justice and the deadly consequences it can bring.
