Anti-government motive behind attack at Talbot Green Police Station
A MAN who launched a violent attack at Talbot Green Police Station, injuring three officers and attempting to set fire to police vehicles, has pleaded guilty to attempted murder and nine other offences.
Alexander Stephen Dighton, 28, from Llantrisant, appeared at the Central Criminal Court today (March 28), where he admitted the offences following the incident on Friday (January 31).
Dighton was arrested at the scene and later charged on Sunday (February 2) with the following offences:
Attempted murder of a police officer
Attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to a second officer
Threatening a third officer with an offensive weapon
Assaulting a fourth officer, an emergency worker
Possession of an offensive weapon
Attempted arson
Two counts of possession of a bladed article
Two counts of criminal damage
CCTV footage from the night of the incident showed Dighton arriving near the station carrying a long wooden pole and a large rucksack containing a hatchet, fire-starting propellant and tobacco tins. He was seen attempting to set fire to police vehicles.
After igniting a small fire beneath a police van, he smashed its windows with the pole before targeting a second marked car. Officers responded quickly and ordered him to drop the weapon. However, Dighton approached the station foyer, where he assaulted one officer, then a second. Despite attempts to restrain him, he stabbed a third officer in the leg with a knife. He was wearing body armour at the time of his arrest.
Due to the nature of the attack and Dighton’s stated motivations, Counter Terrorism Policing Wales took over the investigation, working alongside South Wales Police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The CPS has submitted that the offences were terrorism-related, citing Dighton’s own admissions and his anti-government ideology.
Detective Superintendent Andrew Williams, from Counter Terrorism Policing Wales, said:
“The shocking events at Talbot Green Police Station are a stark reminder of the dangers police officers face every day. The swift and brave actions of the South Wales Police officers undoubtedly prevented further harm.
Dighton arrived with the intent to cause serious harm to officers, motivated by his anti-government mind-set. He viewed the police as an extension of the government and came prepared to inflict maximum damage.”
Chief Superintendent Stephen Jones, Local Policing Commander, added:
“I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for the bravery and professionalism displayed by our officers.
It’s rare to see incidents of this nature, and following so closely after the fatal shooting of Joanne Penney on March 9, it highlights the unpredictable and dangerous nature of our work.”
Bethan David, Head of the Counter Terrorism Division at the CPS, said:
“Alexander Dighton tried to murder a police officer after attempting to set fire to police vehicles.
At the sentencing hearing, the full facts will be presented to the court for consideration.”
Dighton is due to be sentenced at the Central Criminal Court on May 13.
