05/03/2009

Harry Potter Actor Killer Given Life Term

A "habitual knife carrier" has been told he must spend at least 20 years in jail for the brutal murder of a Harry Potter actor.

Karl Bishop, 22, from Sidcup was found guilty of murdering 18-year-old Rob Knox outside a club in their home town of Sidcup, south-east London, last May.

Mr Knox was stabbed five times as he defended his brother Jamie from Bishop. Five others were injured in the fight.

Mr Knox had gone out of the club to protect his younger brother Jamie, 17, after hearing that Bishop threatened him.

Bishop was also convicted of wounding the 18-year-old's friend Dean Saunders, 23, but was found not guilty of wounding another friend Tom Hopkins, aged 19. He was also convicted of wounding Andrew Dormer, 17, and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to Charlie Grimley, 17, and Nicky Jones, 20.

Bishop was given three concurrent life sentences for wounding Mr Knox's friends.

Sentencing, Mr Justice Bean told Bishop that he was a highly dangerous man.

"I do not think it is proved that you intended to kill Robert Knox. The truth is that you simply could not care less whether you killed him or not," he said.

"Your lack of regret let alone remorse was truly chilling."

During the trial it also emerged Bishop was under police investigation for a knifepoint robbery and burglary, but had not been arrested.

The Metropolitan Police has disciplined two officers and changed its procedures.

Rob Knox, from Swanley, Kent, played the part of Marcus Belby in the film 'Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince'.

(JM)

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