Tony Colling Edwards, 53, came home from work and after being asked by his victim how his shift had been, went upstairs only to come back down armed with a loaded crossbow
A man shot his sister’s partner’s son in the face with a crossbow, attempted to stab him with a “substantial kitchen knife” and smashed a mug over his head, all because he resented the family home being left to his sister.
Tony Colling Edwards returned home from work and, after being asked by his victim how his shift had gone, headed upstairs before coming back down armed with a loaded crossbow.
The 53-year-old, formerly of Carbeile Road in Torpoint, aimed the crossbow at his victim and fired it directly into his face at point blank range. The bolt pierced his victim’s cheek. The wounded man managed to pull the bolt out, only to then have to defend himself as Colling Edwards lunged at him wielding a large kitchen knife.
A struggle broke out in the garden of the property, and as his victim rang his mother — the partner of Colling Edwards’ sister — Colling Edwards seized a mug and brought it crashing down on his head, reports Cornwall Live.
Colling Edwards was eventually disarmed, Devon and Cornwall Police were called, and he was subsequently arrested. His victim, who thankfully escaped without lasting injuries, revealed the attack had left him constantly on edge, to the extent that he now keeps both doors and windows locked at all times.
He said he had genuinely believed Colling Edwards intended to kill him, adding that had the crossbow bolt struck his neck, or had Colling Edwards not been stopped, he would not be alive today.
“Thinking of what could have happened is just crazy,” he said. During police questioning, Colling Edwards confessed to the brutal assault and subsequently admitted guilt to one count of causing grievous bodily harm with intent relating to the incident on 29 April this year.
Friday’s sentencing proceedings at Truro Crown Court on 3 July revealed that while Colling Edwards had previously been a man of good character, he becomes ‘nasty’ when intoxicated, as he was on that particular night.
Defence counsel Sophie Johns, representing Colling Edwards, emphasised his immediate and complete acknowledgement of responsibility, noting his profound remorse for what occurred.
Ms Johns explained Colling Edwards had been mourning his mother’s death while navigating a romantic split. She described how his mental wellbeing had declined considerably, with “alcohol triggering poor thinking and decision making”.
“He never had counselling,” she informed the court. “His mental health has suffered as a result of hiding his sexuality from others. But since being in custody he has stopped his drinking and has stopped smoking and it has had a positive impact on his physical health.
“He reads a lot and plans to explore working towards a degree while in custody. Prison has acted as a reset button when his life was getting out of control. He has a real prospect of rehabilitation after prison.”
His Honour Recorder Christopher Quinlan KC noted that Colling Edwards harboured resentment towards his mother for leaving the family property to his sister, and regarding her partner and son residing there. Recorder Quinlan KC stated that Colling Edwards’ victim had done absolutely nothing wrong.
He noted that alcohol had caused Colling Edwards to ‘flip’ that evening following consumption of several pints of cider and shots of vodka at a local pub. He remarked that Colling Edwards had acknowledged wanting to cause his victim pain.
Recorder Quinlan KC explained he had taken into account Colling Edwards’ previous good character, genuine remorse, mental health issues and long-term use of alcohol.
He handed down a four and a half year prison sentence and imposed a 10-year restraining order.