A suspected flasher, Robert Jenner, referred to as the “Naked Carpenter,” has been convicted of attempting to murder a police officer by inflicting 23 stab wounds with a pair of scissors.
Robert Jenner, 50, was found guilty of attempting to murder Kent Police constable Sean Quinn by stabbing him in the head, face, and neck on June 15, 2023, at the defendant’s residence in Maidstone.
A trial at Maidstone Crown Court presented body-worn film of the assault in which Robert Jenner “launched” himself at the officer, who was observed crying for assistance with a bloodied face in the dimly lit kitchen living room. Pc Quinn sustained numerous injuries, including a significant laceration on his forehead that revealed his skull.
On Tuesday, December 10, jurors delivered a majority decision, convicting Robert Jenner of attempted murder.
Prosecutor Daniel Stevenson said the jurors: “(Pc Quinn) was donned in a stab-proof vest, leaving his face, head, and neck exposed.”
“That is what the Crown says he had in mind: This defendant, for whatever reason, he chose in that moment to try and end that police officer’s life and continued to do so even when other officers came into the room.”
Robert Jenner was released from prison two days before the incident, having served a sentence for breaching a court order banning him from wearing see-through clothing. He believes he is a naturist and has 11 convictions for exposure as well as two breaches of the court order, jurors were told. He previously gained fame as the “Naked Carpenter” for doing carpentry in the nude.
Constables Quinn and Angela Bates, of Kent Police, went to visit his home and arrest him on June 15 after they suspected him of matching a report of a male running naked in Mote Park, Maidstone, “nipping in and out of bushes, exposing himself to women” at 7.50pm.
When they arrived, “aggressive” and “completely naked” Robert Jenner barricaded his flat with a sofa and officers decided to force entry to his home to arrest him, the court heard.
Pc Quinn followed Robert Jenner into his kitchen living room where the door closed behind him and Pc Bates said she will never forget the “cry of anguish” coming from behind the door.
When she got in the room, she said of her colleague: “His head was covered in blood and there was a pool of blood just spilling out behind his head, it was horrific.” Pc Bates then hit Robert Jenner five or six times before he released the scissors from his hands, the court heard.
When Robert Jenner was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, he said, “I didn’t mean to do it” and “is he okay?” and “F*** oh mate, I didn’t want this to happen, I didn’t want it to come to this”.
Pc Quinn was taken to King’s College Hospital where he was treated for his wounds. He was discharged the following day.
Robert Jenner, of Albion Place, Maidstone, did not attend his trial or give evidence, but denied charges of attempted murder and wounding with intent. Jurors heard that Jenner was acting to defend himself from what he believed was an unlawful arrest or unlawful entry to his flat. Jenner will be sentenced on a date to be confirmed.
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