Hero off-duty police officer reveals how he chased down ‘evil’ thug who killed wpman and her son
Hero off-duty police officer reveals how he chased down ‘evil’ thug who knifed ex-girlfriend and her autistic son, nine, to death over fears autism was ‘contagious’
PC Steven Denniss confronted Daniel Boulton after spotting him at a local parkKiller was chatting to a female dog walker, who Denniss thought he could attackBoulton had stabbed to death his ex and her son at their home the night before
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A heroic off-duty police officer who came face-to-face with a knife-wielding double murderer just hours after he killed a woman and her nine-year-old son branded him ‘evil’ today – as he recalled his takedown of ‘the most dangerous person’ he had ever dealt with.
PC Steven Denniss was walking his two dogs in Hubbards Hills, Louth, Lincolnshire, on June 1 last year when he saw wanted killer Daniel Boulton chatting to a female dog walker.
The night before, Boulton had savagely stabbed to death his ex-partner Bethany Vincent, 26, and her son Darren Henson, over fears the boy’s autism was ‘contagious’.
Recognising Boulton from a police photo appeal and fearing for the woman’s safety, PC Denniss decided to intervene – resulting in him being stabbed in the thigh.
Boulton was this week handed a minimum sentence of 40 years in prison following a trial for his two murders at Lincoln Crown Court.
The jury heard how Miss Vincent suffered nine stab wounds, one of which was 20cm in depth and passed through her heart, while young Darren suffered 14 stab wounds to the face, neck, chest, leg, shoulder, and back.
PC Steven Denniss (pictured) was walking his two dogs in Hubbards Hills, Louth, Lincolnshire, on June 1 last year when he saw wanted killer Daniel Boulton chatting to a female dog walker
Boulton (pictured) was this week handed a minimum sentence of 40 years in prison following a trial for his two murders at Lincoln Crown Court.
Boulton being arrested by two police officers who escorted him from a woodland area (pictured)
The jury heard how Miss Vincent suffered nine stab wounds, one of which was 20cm in depth and passed through her heart, while young Darren suffered 14 stab wounds to the face, neck, chest, leg, shoulder, and back (mother and son pictured)
Boulton walked 28 miles from Skegness to carry out the killings, the court heard, with the horrific murders taking place in front of a nine-month old baby, who he left alone in a distressed state as he calmly smoked a cigarette in the garden before fleeing the scene.
It was the following day that PC Denniss spotted Boulton chatting to a dog walker.
He told Grimsby Live: ‘I thought he was about to attack her and I approached to get hands on.
‘I identified myself as a police officer and there were punches thrown and kicks and I managed to get him in the goolies. But he ran off further into Hubbards Hills.’
PC Denniss called a colleague in the firearms team and ran after Boulton while talking on the phone and giving directions to police.
There were already three firearms teams in the area as part of the manhunt and fortunately one of them was not far from Hubbards Hills.
He added: ‘I shouted at a member of the public who was coming towards us. He pulled a knife on the member of the public who backed off. Then he came back at me and he was after my phone to stop me getting help.
‘He lunged at me several times but I dodged each time as he tried to get me in the torso. With one of them I hit down on his hand and that is when he got me with the tip of the knife in my upper thigh.’
He was Tasered and arrested at a nearby farm in Hallington after trying to hijack two cars and encouraging armed officers to shoot him
Police have now released helicopter footage showing Boulton on the run at the farmyard
A jury heard Boulton calmly smoked a cigarette in the garden after carrying out the murders and walked away leaving a ‘distressed’ nine-month-old child
Ms Vincent’s mother, Caroline Vincent, and DJ’s father, Kieran Henson, were among those watching from the public gallery as Boulton was sentenced for their murders this week. Pictured: Ms Vincent with her son Darren
He told how Boulton then fled, running through the river to try to avoid the officer.
PC Denniss went over the bridge and chased him again and was soon joined by fellow firearms officers.
They called on other members of the public to get out of the park for their safety.
Boulton disappeared into woodland and emerged back on the road to Hallington.
He attempted to take a woman’s car but she managed to quickly lock the doors and speed off.
Boulton then fled towards Hallington and came within the view of a drone and a police helicopter, whose operators were able to radio descriptions of his location to officers in pursuit on the ground, leading to his capture.
PC Denniss added: ‘In 20 years of doing my job, he is the most dangerous person I have ever had to deal with.
‘I saw his face as he was coming towards me with a knife.
‘I would class him as evil. I saw the look in his face. He would have killed me without so much as a second thought.
‘It is just what we do as police officers and I was just doing my job. These were tragic circumstances. But they were brilliant sentences.
‘It was a heinous crime and he has got as close to a whole life term as is possible.’
PC Denniss continued: ‘There are a lot of what ifs. You can think of what might have happened if the people who live in the bungalow had come back to find him there. They could have been killed.
‘The woman with the dogs could have been his next victim. I am just happy that I did my part, like any other officer would have done.
‘I did my part but there is a massive machine in the police force and everyone else has taken it on. It is that which got him 40 years. Everyone did their job, including those looking after the families, the CCTV investigation, people putting the statements together. It has been a big team effort.’
Assistant Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police, Kerrin Wilson said: ‘My heartfelt condolences go to the family of Bethany and DJ. This was an horrific attack on a mum and her child, and I cannot imagine what they must be going through.
The suspect was wearing no shoes or socks, ripped tracksuit bottoms, an Adidas T-shirt and a Nike jacket when he was arrested at a farm in Hallington, near Louth
This is the moment double killer Daniel Boulton is cornered by police after a dramatic 24-hour manhunt was launched to arrest him
‘Although we sadly cannot change what took place in this tragic case, I would like to thank Pc Denniss and the team that helped apprehend Boulton. I would also like to thank the investigation team, and the Crown Prosecution Service which has done a great job in bringing justice to the family.
‘PC Denniss put his life at risk to ensure this dangerous man was arrested. His commitment, professionalism and bravery is commended and he is a credit to our policing family.’
Judge, Mr Justice Pepperall at Lincoln Crown Court sentenced Boulton to two life sentences and ordered a minimum sentence of 40 years, telling the 30-year-old murderer from Skegness that he might never be released from prison.
He added: ‘I commend PC Steven Denniss for his bravery in seeking to arrest you (Boulton), while off duty and without any back up or regard for his own safety, in order to protect members of the public.’
Telling Daniel Boulton there was a possibility he may never be released, Mr Justice Pepperall told the killer at sentencing: ‘I’m sure that you targeted DJ (Darren Henson) because of your hatred and you were motivated by his autism.
‘You acted calmly, callously and efficiently … you intended to kill, you knew precisely what you were doing.’
The defendant was emotionless as he was led away from the dock.
It came as police released helicopter footage showing Boulton on the run at the farmyard.
He slows down to a walk at a barn door before climbing over a fence, when he then gesticulates at police, who corner him and point weapons at him.
The force has also published bodycam footage of Boulton being put into a police van, in which he says: ‘I know I’m an evil b*****d but can you get me some water please?’
Armed police were seen at Hallington House Farm on the outskirts of Louth, Lincolnshire, after a man was detained
Boulton, who did not give evidence during his trial, admitted manslaughter but denied the two murders – telling a psychiatrist ‘autopilot did the job for me.’
But the jury rejected Boulton’s argument that ‘he lost control’ due to his personality disorder and took just two hours to convict him of both murders.
Ms Vincent’s mother, Caroline Vincent, and DJ’s father, Kieran Henson, were among those watching from the public gallery.
As the guilty verdicts were returned there were shouts of ‘yes’ from the public gallery.
Judge Mr Justice Pepperall told Boulton: ‘You have been convicted of the brutal murders of Bethany Vincent and her nine-year-old son, Darren Henson.
‘The only sentences I can pass by law are ones of life imprisonment.’
His trial was told Boulton developed a ‘hatred’ for DJ, who was autistic, and said he wanted to wipe out Ms Vincent’s bloodline.
Boulton walked from his hostel in Skegness to Ms Vincent’s home in Louth where he ‘loitered for hours’ on May 31.
The day before at 4pm he sent Ms Vincent a text which read ‘nightmare on Holme street.’
Addressing the jury in her closing speech, prosecution barrister Katherine Goddard QC said: ‘That was what he delivered.’
