Manchester man faces no charges for fatal stabbing in florist's

07/09/2011

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has decided that no charges should be brought against 72-year-old Cecil Coley who stabbed to death an intruder who forced his way into his family's florist shop in Old Trafford in July 2011. The CPS has also concluded that he should not face any charges for injuring a second man who was stabbed in the incident.

Nazir Afzal, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the North West Area, said that he was satisfied after considering all the statements and other evidence gathered by Greater Manchester Police that Mr Coley was acting in reasonable self-defence at the time, and should not be prosecuted for any offence over the death of Gary Mullings.

Mr Afzal said: "It is difficult to envisage a more frightening set of circumstances than these. Four men, armed with guns and a knife, forced their way into the shop as Mr Coley was locking up. Mr Coley received a number of injuries, including a serious facial injury, and his friend was knocked unconscious. At some point in the incident, one of the guns, a blank firing pistol, was fired.

"All the evidence indicates that when Cecil Coley took hold of a knife that was on the shop counter and struck out with it he was acting in a way that he felt instinctively necessary to protect himself, whilst fearing for his life.

"It is clear from the evidence I have seen that Mr Coley was acting in reasonable self defence, and used the degree of force that he believed was necessary when he fatally stabbed Gary Mullings and injured another of the intruders. I am therefore satisfied that there is insufficient evidence to prosecute Mr Coley for the stabbings.

"Householders, shopkeepers and anyone going about their lawful day-to-day activities can be reassured that the law will protect them if they use reasonable force to protect themselves, their families and their property."

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