Just months after graduating from Police Now, Detective Constable Joseph Wynne-Davies has helped secure a life sentence for a dangerous offender following a major investigation he led while still completing his two-year programme.
Joe, who serves with Devon and Cornwall Police, was the investigating officer in the case while still a trainee detective, highlighting the responsibility officers can take on early in their careers.
His investigation helped secure the conviction of Jordan Honey, 29, of Felixstowe, Suffolk, who was found guilty of intentional strangulation, causing grievous bodily harm and three other offences.
Honey was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 15 years at Exeter Crown Court on November 3.
The case centred on two violent assaults committed by Honey against the same victim in October last year. A week after the first attack, Honey sent a series of threatening messages and then travelled more than 300 miles from Suffolk to Devon, armed with a zombie knife, to confront the victim at her home in Torquay.
After forcing his way into the property, Honey cornered the victim, held a knife to her neck and repeatedly threatened to kill her and her family. The victim suffered injuries to her hands while trying to protect herself from the weapon.
Honey then launched a further violent assault before fleeing the scene when a neighbour intervened.
As the investigating officer, Joe was responsible for building the case against Honey, supporting the victim throughout the investigation and helping secure guilty verdicts at trial.
Following the sentence, he said: “I would like to thank the victim, who has been incredibly courageous in describing what happened to her and remaining engaged throughout the court process. It is thanks to her bravery that an incredibly dangerous man has been sentenced to a life term.”
He added: “This was a truly terrifying attack in which the completely blameless victim thought she was going to die.
“Honey took the decision to arm himself with a potentially deadly weapon and travel for many hours to Devon. On this journey, he had ample time to recognise that carrying the weapon was highly dangerous and could be deadly.
“Once he arrived at the address, Honey exploded into violence before eventually leaving the scene and returning to Suffolk, where he was arrested.
“Zombie knives are incredibly dangerous and there are countless examples of when they have caused fatal injuries. It is partly due to good fortune that this wasn’t the case in this incident.”
Kurtis Christoforides, Chief Executive of Police Now, said: “Joe‘s thorough investigation, determination and professionalism were instrumental in securing this outcome, helping to ensure that a dangerous offender was brought to justice.
“As a Police Now alumnus, he exemplifies the high standards we expect of the officers we recruit and train, and we’re proud to see him making such a meaningful contribution to protecting vulnerable people and keeping communities safe.”
