Westcliff-on-Sea pub crossbow killer detained under hospital order

Dave Peck was a "much-loved" father, son and brother, his family said

A man has been jailed after killing a stranger with a crossbow in what police described as a random attack at a pub.

Alfred Turner, 44, of Station Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, shot dead Dave Peck, 51, inside the Lamb and Lion in the town on 23 December last year.

Turner pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Basildon Crown Court.

He was given a life sentence, but under a section 45A hospital order, to serve a determinate sentence of eight years in a mental health facility.

A determinate sentence refers to the maximum amount of time the defendant will serve in custody.

The attack happened at the Lamb and Lion in Westcliff-on-Sea two days before Christmas

Turner left his home at about 18:30 GMT that night and was asked by another man outside what he was holding, to which he replied: "It's a crossbow."

CCTV captured Turner entering the pub, while Mr Peck was sitting on a bar stool opposite the door.

He fired the crossbow, striking him in the chest, and Essex Police said other people tried to help the victim as he fell to the floor.

Mr Peck died at the scene.

The defendant left the pub and discarded the crossbow, but was arrested fewer than 90 minutes later.

Alfred Turner was sentenced to a hospital order at Basildon Crown Court

He denied an initial charge of murder and prosecutors accepted his guilty plea to manslaughter by diminished responsibility instead.

Mr Peck's family released a statement shortly after his death and said: "Our hearts are broken. Dave is and always will be a much loved partner, father, son and brother."