Plymouth gunman Jake Davison was caught on CCTV attacking an innocent 16-year-old boy less than a year before he shot five people dead, an inquest has heard.
Although police investigated and took away his gun at the time, Davison was not charged with assault in September 2020. Instead, a detective sergeant referred him to a restorative justice programme as an alternative to prosecution, and his weapon was later returned.
Davison reacted angrily when a teenager called him a “fat c***” and ran off, the court heard.
The 22-year-old responded with a burst of violence so extreme his blameless victim suffered injuries to his eyebrow, nose and lip.
CCTV of the incident in a Plymouth park showed Davison punching the boy at least five times, the inquest into the deaths of Davison’s victims was told.
When a 15-year-old girl went to her friend’s aid – as he lay on the floor not resisting the volley of blows – she was slapped by Davison.
Davison’s legally held pump-action shotgun and certificate were seized by Devon and Cornwall Police following the attack but returned to him in July 2021.
In August 2021, Davison shot dead five people, including his mother Maxine, with his firearm.
The details of Davison assaulting two teenagers came out today at the inquest into the deaths of Davison’s five victims.
Those who assessed his suitability to hold a firearms licence gave evidence.
Davison blamed innocent teenagers
Davison lashed out at a young boy and girl in Central Park, Plymouth, in September 2020.
Although the boy who shouted at him ran away, the inquest heard he took out his anger out on two of the teenager’s friends – considering them “guilty by association”.
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Bridget Dolan KC, counsel to the inquest, said: “The CCTV shows more than five punches to the young man, maybe between seven and nine.
“The boy was hit so hard there was a two-inch cut above his eyebrow, and bleeding to his nose, eyebrow and lip.”
The boy required superficial stitches to his eyebrow and the girl was left with no visible injuries.
Davison later handed himself into the police after a public appeal was made and CCTV images of a suspect were issued.
The parents of the boy wanted Davison charged but he was instead enrolled on the Pathfinder “voluntary intervention programme” – which the Devon and Cornwall Police website insists is not a “soft option” and can reduce reoffending.
‘Shocked by the ferocity of the assault’
After being alerted by staff from the project, Davison’s certificate and weapon were seized by firearms inquiry officer David Rees but later returned.
Mr Rees told the inquest: “Having seen the CCTV last week I was quite shocked by the ferocity of the assault. I wish I had queried the decision-making process of the gatekeeper [the detective sergeant].
“I should have questioned it.”
The inquest has previously heard Davison was so angry following the incident he wanted to kill the teenagers and went home to get his shotgun.
The inquest continues.
