Violent and Predatory vs. Violent but Defensive: Another Example that England's Lost It.

(Via Samizdata.)

Father driven to suicide after tackling drug gang

By Paul Stokes
(Filed: 01/09/2004)

A public-spirited man who was beaten up in front of his young sons when he confronted drug dealers outside his home committed suicide because he felt powerless to protect them.

Paul Wardell, 32, a musician, believed that he had been humiliated and lost his self-respect after being set upon by six youths wielding baseball bats and martial arts weapons.

Boy, it's a good thing that England's laws disarm the criminals law-abiding, isn't it?

His sons - Simon, then 10, and Ashley, eight - and his sister Karen Squires, 35, watched in horror as the attack continued mercilessly as he lay on the ground.

Ashley threw himself at the assailants in a futile attempt to stop the blows being rained down on his father, whose injuries included a fractured skull.

Mr Wardell spent two days in hospital, during which time his home was burgled, and even had to spend Christmas in a hostel for his own protection.

Yes, the criminals certainly are concerned about the ability of the average subject to defend his home and family. And even more concerned about the State's ability to defend them, eh?

He separated from his wife, spent five months waiting to be rehoused and the once "happy and bubbly" family man became a virtual recluse.

The final blow came when, despite identifying two of the culprits in a police line-up, the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the case.

Mr Wardell was found hanged by a dog lead at his home in Thornaby, Teesside, in January, an inquest heard yesterday.

He had made a noose tied from one of his son's bunk beds, the day after Ashley's 10th birthday. Anthony Eastwood, Middlesbrough's assistant deputy coroner, said the attack had been a significant factor in him killing himself.

Four youths aged 15 to 19 were arrested and charged with involvement in the assault which happened a few months after Mr Wardell had moved into the area.

But the inquest heard that the CPS decided against pressing the case after Miss Squires failed to pick the offenders out at an identity parade.

Chief Insp Colin White, of Cleveland Police, told the hearing: "The CPS felt there was not enough evidence and the case was discontinued. After looking at the case file, I agree with their decision."

Mr White described Mr Wardell as a member of the community who would not stand for anti-social behaviour in the street and stood up against the youths on many occasions.
He told the hearing in Middlesbrough: "A lot of the residents in Mansfield Avenue would not identify culprits in fear of reprisals, but Mr Wardell kept diary sheets of events and his evidence secured a number of Anti-Social Behaviour orders. "He confronted some of the young people, some in groups of 20-plus, and when his windows and curtains were closed at night his home would be targeted with eggs and other weapons."

Thus explaining the reluctance of the other residents to identify culprits, no? Fear of reprisal by a squad of young hoodlums, when your only defense is a bread knife? If you happen to be IN your home when they decide to attack? Otherwise all you have for self-defense is fleetness of foot or foul language.

Mr Wardell was found dead by police who broke into his home after they had been trying to get into contact with him.

He had left seven letters in the living room addressed to members of his family and close friends, including his ex-wife Frankie, Simon, Ashley, his daughter Robin and his mother.
Recording a verdict that he took his own life, the coroner said: "He was a man who would not stand by and say nothing."

He said Mr Wardell was a changed man after the assault and became extensively withdrawn and depressed.

Mr Eastwood said: "He had feelings of failure that he failed to protect his children and loss of worth. There was a great decline in his mental condition."

At the time of the attack Mr Wardell, who was unemployed but had ambitions to become a professional musician, said: "They told me straight - they don't want to fight me, they want to torture me."

His mother June Marron, 65, said outside the hearing: "He would come round saying he would go after them and kill them for what they did or that he would kill himself. He was gutted by the fact they just got away with it.

"Paul knew who they were and that should have been enough."

It is a sad thing to see a once noble and admirable country going to shit like that.