Pc shooting thug free at 40
A dangerous criminal who shot a policeman on the streets of Wolverhampton could be free in 15 years after prosecutors failed to convince top law chiefs that his "unduly lenient" sentence was too short.
Marcus Bailey, a thug with a history of violently resisting arrest, lay in wait for Wolverhampton policeman Pc Geoff King near the Waitrose supermarket in Penn last November before pointing a gun at the officer's head and firing three times, almost killing him.
The 25-year-old was found guilty of attempted murder, making use of a firearm with intent to resist arrest and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment on each count to run concurrently, with a minimum jail term of 15 years. But he could now be back on the streets at the age of 40 following the ruling revealed today, which promptly condemned by the Police Federation.
A statement released by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said: "West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service referred the sentence to the Attorney General saying it was unduly lenient.
"But, after seeking advice from the Treasury Counsel, she has decided not to refer the matter to the Court of Appeal."
Police Federation chairman Paul Tonks praised the CPS for trying to get Bailey's sentence increased and said the organisation was "bitterly disappointed" with the counsel's decision.
"It is wholly inappropriate and sends out the wrong message," he said. "It is extremely unhelpful to frontline police officers who put their lives on the line to protect their communities."
Bailey, of Warnford Walk, Merry Hill, appeared unfazed when his sentence was handed down, even thanking the judge as he was led from court and mouthing "It's only 15" at his supporters in the public gallery.
No reasons have been given by the Attorney General's office for the decision, other than the case did not meet its criteria for an appeal.
