Police commended for work which saw trio jailed for Marks Tey knife attack

Donald Adu, Calvin Armstrong and Ermias Yohannes, had denied attempting to murder Leon Sobers in Mandeville Road, Marks Tey, in Halloween 2018.

But they were convicted after a trial at Ipswich Crown Court last year.

Adu and Armstrong were jailed for 26 years in prison apiece and Yohannes 19 years because he is a child but was deemed a serious risk to the public.

Two detectives and a criminal intelligence analyst have been commended for their work to identify and resolve issues involving witness intimidation during the trial.

Detective Sergeant Paul Olney and Detective Constable Mike Heslegrave and analyst Gill Handley have been handed commendations by Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington on behalf of trial Judge Martyn Levett.

The commendation particularly noted their vital work over a weekend in the middle of the seven-week trial.

Read more >> Trio jailed for more than 70 years after horror Halloween knife attack

Judge Levett's commendation said: "Their work] demonstrates to me that these cases can’t be presented by the prosecution or, indeed, the defence on either side unless the advocates have worked hard in trying to pull everything together.

"But, of course, they’ve got nothing to pull together unless the material’s there in the first place and, again, it seems something I should acknowledge.”

Det Con Heslegrave said: "In the middle of the trial, the witness’s evidence turned round completely but we spent a weekend identifying what had happened and how.

“The investigation was very intensive so to be recognised by the judge makes me feel very proud.”

Det Sgt Olney added: “It was our biggest investigation in Colchester CID. The trial was initially set for two weeks but it lasted for seven. Gill’s work was crucial to it continuing.

"We were able to arrest a suspect quickly and ensure the witness was safeguarded.

“To receive a Judge’s Commendation as an investigator shows just how much work goes into preparing the case and what the judge thought of that.

"It’s fantastic to have a judge say ‘you’ve done really well’.”

Detective Constable Mike Heslegrave, Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington, Detective Sergeant Paul Olney

Ms Handley said: “It was a team effort. We all wanted to achieve the right outcome and I felt very privileged to be able to help with that. I was delighted to be recognised.

"I sit behind a computer and to receive praise from my peers, the Chief Constable and a judge is very nice.”

Chief Constable Harrington said: "It’s really good to be able to commend the team’s brilliant work on this case which demonstrates the quality of our detectives and our analysts. It also shows that, even after gathering the evidence and conducting a thorough investigation, you can’t assume a trial will go to plan. You have to look after the case throughout, to ensure justice for the victims and their families.

“As the police, we are here to help people, keep them safe and catch criminals. Paul, Mike and Gill did all of this by helping to ensure that three very dangerous people have been taken off our streets and locked up for a very long time. The world is a better place for it.

“The commendation also reflects the hard work and determination which went into the investigation of a very nasty attack. I am proud their efforts have been recognised by the trial judge.”