Man Stabbed in Chest After Car Break-In Attempt in Bury St Edmunds
Neil Charles, 47, was fatally stabbed in June 2021 after being caught trying to break into cars in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Witnesses saw him attempting to open car doors before the deadly attack.
Father and Son Duo Deny Murder Charges
David King, 55, and his 19-year-old son Edward King, both from Radnor Close, deny murdering Mr Charles. The elder King claims Mr Charles ran onto the knife during the confrontation. Sentencing will happen at a later date.
During the trial at Ipswich Crown Court, it emerged that David King was shown CCTV footage of Mr Charles on his driveway by his son and wanted to “stop and detain him.”
CCTV, 999 Call, and Weapons Revealed
- At 3.55am on June 20th, Suffolk Police received a 999 call from David King reporting a man trying to steal from his car on the Moreton Hall estate.
- King told the operator he chased the man, who fled, but was unsure if the man—later identified as Mr Charles—was genuinely injured or just “acting.”
- Authorities later confirmed Mr Charles may have been hurt when he ran onto the knife held by King.
- Prosecutor Christopher Paxton QC revealed the Kings were armed with a sword and dagger, seeking “rough justice.”
Fatal Stab Wound and Aftermath
Police found Mr Charles seriously injured on Winsford Road. He died two days later.
A post-mortem showed a single 12cm (5in) stab wound to the chest caused by the dagger was fatal. The sword left a horizontal wound above his left knee.
“The father and son had gone out to find and attack Mr Charles,” said prosecutor Christopher Paxton QC.
Both men deny they intended to kill, with David King insisting he merely interrupted a car thief and that Mr Charles accidentally ran onto the knife.
