Man who shot police officer detained under hospital order

A man who shot a police officer in the face resulting in the loss of one of his eyes has been detained under a hospital order.

Matthew Tearle fired a number of rubber balls from a paintball gun through the front door of his flat in Rugeley, on 19 October 2014, striking Sergeant Jon King at close range in the eyes. Jon had to have his eye removed due to the damage caused by that shot.

Jon, a sergeant based in the Cannock at the time, who had been a police officer for 26 years, and his colleagues had been called to help paramedics at Tearle’s flat on Wat Tyler Close.

Tearle was subject to a hospital order under section 37 of the Mental Health Act in February 2016 following a ‘trial of act’ at Stafford Crown Court, after he was deemed unfit for trial following a mental health assessment. 

Forty-four-year-old Tearle, of Rugeley, has now pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and being in possession of a prohibited weapon (a paintball gun). He pleaded guilty at Stafford Crown Court on 25 October 2024.

He was detained last Thursday (5 December) under a hospital order with restrictions based on the risk posed to public safety.

Jon retired from the force on medical grounds in 2015 but later re-joined Staffordshire Police as an investigative officer, based in Lichfield, in October 2020.  

In court, His Honour Judge John Edwards said: “The court’s first thoughts extend here to Jonathan King, who ten years ago, was doing his public duty when he suffered life-changing injuries which have had a profound effect on his personal and professional life. He was 48 at the time and had many years of working life ahead of him. He attended this incident to help the defendant ironically, and, for no discernible reason, his life was irrevocably altered. I want him to know that the court extends its profound sympathy to an extremely brave man who was doing something few of us would care to do and has paid a heavy price in the line of duty.”

Chief Constable Chris Noble said: “The fact that Jon has waited for 10 years for Tearle to be convicted, and that I am commenting on this now, must send a very strong message that assaulting police officers and other emergency workers will never be tolerated.”

“While Jon had to retire as a police officer on medical grounds, it is testimony to his courage, determination and desire to serve our communities that he re-joined Staffordshire Police as an investigative officer and remains a valued member of our team.”

“I would also like to extend my thanks to our criminal justice partners in ensuring that justice is seen to be done, no matter how long it takes in our determination to keep our communities safe.”

Jon King said: “After I was shot in the face whilst on duty in Rugeley, my life changed irreversibly and my family suffered extreme trauma. I could no longer do the job I had done for 26 years, a job I loved and a job I was proud to do.”

“I lost my right eye and had to go through numerous surgeries to have it removed and a prosthetic one fitted. Losing an eye is not just a physical problem. Mentally, I have an injury which is looked at every day by everyone I meet.

“I attended this incident to help Matthew and he deliberately shot me and changed my life for absolutely no reason. That is difficult to stomach.”

We won't be issuing a custody photo of Matthew Tearle as it is from 10 years ago.