Gloucestershire officers who stopped neighbour killer up for award

Josh Norris and Steve Wilkinson put their lives at risk to save others

A pair of off-duty officers who confronted a man who had just murdered his neighbour are up for a bravery award.

Matthew Boorman was stabbed 27 times by neighbour Can Arslan following a long-running dispute in Gloucestershire.

Off-duty Sgt Steve Wilkinson said he knew he "had to do something" as Arslan threatened others.

PC Josh Norris arrived and the pair contained the killer until uniformed colleagues arrived to make an arrest.

Sgt Wilkinson said. "I knew I had to stop him and protect everyone else around.

"Doing the job that we do, if we see someone who needs help, we go help."

In June 2022, at Bristol Crown Court, Arslan was found guilty of murder, attempted murder and wounding, and sentenced to 38 years in prison.

Matthew Boorman was described as a very caring husband and a devoted father

The two officers have now been nominated for the National Police Bravery Awards 2023.

Sgt Wilkinson was nearby and off-duty at the time of the incident on 5 October 2021 in Walton Cardiff on the outskirts of Tewkesbury.

Hearing a disturbance, he approached to see the attacker standing over the fatally-injured Mr Boorman and his injured wife.

With no protective equipment, Sgt Wilkinson picked up a nearby piece of wood to defend himself as he attempted to drive Arslan away from the scene.

Still armed with a large kitchen knife, Arslan then stormed over to another neighbour's house.

Sgt Wilkinson knew more lives were in danger, so made decision to pursue him while repeatedly calling for him to stop and put the knife down as he was heading for the back garden.

Arslan quickly forced his way into the house of Peter Marsden, attacking him and stabbing him eight times.

Sgt Wilkinson rushed towards the struggle, hitting the attacker with the wood, successfully getting him to back off, before instructing Mr Marsden to lock the door.

Arlsan also attacked Sgt Wilkinson with the knife, but did not manage to injure him.

'Utterly selfless'

Fortunately, he was soon joined by his friend and colleague PC Norris.

PC Norris had been asleep after a night shift when he received a knock on the door from a neighbour telling him what was happening.

His partner, who was eight months pregnant at the time, was anxious about him going, but PC Norris said: "Knowing what was going on, I couldn't not go."

The officer ended up grabbing two golf clubs from his garage, one for himself and one for his colleague, in the hope of subduing Arslan.

It was when one of the clubs broke when Sgt Wilkinson struck the killer that PC Norris realised how dangerous the situation was.

He praised the community for everything they did to help.

"Neighbours were out helping, shouting, filming - everyone helped. I imagine it would have been harder for us to get a conviction without the evidence they provided.

"I am eternally grateful for them coming out to help."

Gloucestershire Police Federation Chair Stephen James said: "The actions of the pair on that day truly exemplify what these awards are all about.

"Police officers, whether on duty or not, putting themselves in danger's way to protect others," said Mr James.

"That is utterly selfless and staggeringly brave, and we should all be incredibly proud of them."