March 17 2013.


Paul Allwright, 63, of North Way, Seaford, appeared at Lewes Crown Court today, where he pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

The court heard that Mr Allwright had been seriously wounded after a stand-off with armed police at his home on the night of September 15, 2012, and had been hospitalised for a month after being hit by three live rounds and three baton rounds in an exchange of fire. Despite also being tackled by a police dog, he retreated into his house where he was found and given urgent medical attention.

Through his defence, Mr Allwright thanked the emergency services for their work and recognised the threat that he had posed to police officers who were trying to get him to surrender his weapon. He apologised to everyone who had been affected by his actions.

He was sentenced to six years' imprisonment. As a result of his guilty plea, a charge of attempted murder of the police officers was dropped after consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service.

Detective Superintendent Nick May from the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team said: "I am pleased that Mr Allwright saw fit to admit to his crime and the court has recognised the severity of the offence in sentencing him to six years in prison.

"His actions in a quiet residential street in a small seaside town on that September night understandably caused terror and distress among the local the community, who had never experienced anything of that nature before and hopefully, never will again. He emerged from the house to be faced by armed police officers, but showed no sign that he intended to surrender his weapon and ultimately suffered serious injuries when he exchanged fire with those officers.

"Mr Allwright is entirely culpable for the events that unfolded that night. Sussex Police is satisfied that the actions taken were wholly proportionate and the court heard that those actions have been backed by the Independent Police Complaints Commission who have investigated the incident."