Cop killer Nicholas Vernage’s partner, whose nod o

Cop killer Nicholas Vernage’s partner, whose nod of the head
almost cost the lives of two policemen, was sent to Rampton
maximum security mental hospital today Monday.

Peter Grenfell, 29, never laid hands on anyone but his nod
led Vernage, who had already murdered three times before, to lash
out savagely with a knife.

Vernage, 27, was given five life sentences last week,
including the attempted murder of PCs Simon Castrey and John
Jenkinson in Thornton Heath.

He will serve at least 25 years before even being considered
for release on licence.

An Old Bailey jury found Grenfell, of Overton Road, Leyton,
guilty of unlawfully wounding the two PCs for his part in
invoking his partner’s brutal wrath.

The jury had heard that in the two weeks before, Vernage had
already murdered a former girlfriend and a householder who had
surprised him in the middle of a burglary.

Soon after teaming up with Grenfell in Walthamstow, Vernage
savagely stabbed a policeman who tried to arrest him.

Grenfell, who witnessed the slaying of Sgt Alan King, was
also charged with that murder but midway through the trial he
was acquitted on the judge’s direction of taking part.

Later on November 29 last year, he was with Vernage in
Thornton Heath when PCs Jenkinson and Castrey tried to arrest
them on suspicion of burglary.

As they were being questioned, Vernage looked across at
Grenfell.

When he nodded, Vernage suddenly whipped out his knife
and lashed out.

The two PCs were horrifically injured and were only saved
thanks to the skill of surgeons.

Grenfell was accused of attempted murder but was convicted of
the lesser alternative of unlawful wounding, on the basis that
he had not intended serious harm.

He admitted an earlier burglary.

The court had heard from a string of top psychiatrists that
Grenfell, a diagnosed schizophrenic, was mentally ill at the
time of the attack.

The Common Serjeant (corr) of London, Judge Robert Lymbery
QC, told Grenfell: ‘As far as the wounding is concerned, you
were barely responsible and you were frightened of Vernage.

‘It is quite clear you were suffering from mental illness.

‘You will stay in Rampton Hospital until doctors see fit to
release you.

‘
Grenfell did not react as he was escorted out of court by
male nurses from Rampton.

ENDS