In a chilling case that has shocked the quiet community of Downley near High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, 55-year-old Jason King has been sentenced to nine years in prison for a violent rampage that involved stabbing his neighbor and firing a crossbow at responding police officers. The incident, which unfolded on May 10, 2024, highlighted the dangers faced by law enforcement and the devastating impact of unresolved neighborhood disputes.
Jason King, a former computer worker with a history of mental health struggles, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including unlawful wounding and wounding with intent. His actions not only injured two individuals but also raised broader questions about weapon accessibility and mental health support in the UK. As details emerged during his sentencing at Aylesbury Crown Court on August 20, 2025, the full extent of the chaos became clear, painting a picture of a man who, in a moment of rage, turned everyday grievances into life-threatening violence.
The Shocking Incident in Downley
The events began in the seemingly ordinary residential area of School Close, Downley, a suburb on the outskirts of High Wycombe. On the afternoon of May 10, 2024, police were called to the scene following reports of a stabbing amid a long-standing neighbor dispute.
Jason King, then 54, had confronted his neighbor, Alistair Mahwuto, a 63-year-old man in his 60s, over what appeared to be ongoing tensions. According to court details, the altercation escalated rapidly, with King pulling out a small knife and stabbing Mahwuto in the abdomen. The wound measured about 2cm in depth, and medical experts noted during the trial that it could have been fatal if it had been just a few centimeters higher, potentially piercing vital organs.
Mahwuto, who survived the attack and made a full recovery, later described in his victim impact statement how the incident had affected him more profoundly than he initially anticipated. He emphasized the sheer terror of the moment and the realization of how close he came to death. The stabbing was not an isolated act; it stemmed from a history of friction between the neighbors.
Just the day before, on May 9, 2024, Jason King had contacted the police himself, reporting that his windows had been broken by a neighbor, indicating simmering animosities that had been building for some time. As officers from Thames Valley Police arrived to investigate the stabbing, the situation took a deadly turn. King, armed with a crossbow he had purchased online for less than £20, retreated into his home and began firing at the police from an upstairs window.
Body-worn camera footage released by the police captured the harrowing moments: King removed the entire window frame to get a clearer shot, grinning menacingly before unleashing bolts at the officers below. One of these bolts struck PC Curtis Foster in the leg, causing a 2-3cm wound perilously close to an artery. PC Foster, who was among the first responders, recounted in court how the scene was initially eerily quiet. He approached Mahwuto, who lifted his shirt to reveal the stab wound, and it was only then that King made his presence known from above.
Read : Birds by Joe 2 Owner Shot in Face with Crossbow by Regular Customer
The attack didn’t stop there. Jason King emerged from his house, crossbow in hand, and began “hunting” the officers, chasing them across the road while pointing the weapon directly at them. Prosecutors described his actions as deliberate stalking, with King firing repeatedly and even attempting to shoot a police dog named Merlyn, as reported by a dog handler on the scene.
The chaos unfolded in broad daylight, endangering not only the police but also nearby residents who had to be evacuated. PC Foster, despite his injury, managed to help clear the public from the area, his adrenaline masking the pain initially. However, he soon realized the severity of his wound as he lost significant blood, leaving his colleagues “covered” in it while they applied pressure to stem the flow.
⚠️ Warning: Viewer discretion advised ⚠️ Contains violence and disturbing scenes.
— Thames Valley Police (@ThamesVP) August 20, 2025
Truly horrifying…
Jason King stabbed and wounded his neighbour before going on a rampage and chasing our officers with a crossbow. pic.twitter.com/eK47mkZOJR
Faced with an armed and unrelenting assailant, an armed police officer—whose identity remains protected—issued warnings for King to drop the weapon. When King refused and continued to pose an immediate threat, the officer fired a single shot, hitting King in the stomach.
This action, described by the officer as “the worst thing I’ve ever had to do,” was deemed necessary to neutralize the danger and protect lives. King was immediately hospitalized with what were potentially life-changing injuries, spending 10 days in medical care before being discharged and arrested. The police response was later praised by an independent watchdog for the officers’ “courage, professionalism, and sound judgment” in handling such a volatile situation.
This phase of the incident alone underscores the bravery of the ten officers involved, who managed to contain a highly dangerous individual without further loss of life. The crossbow, a weapon that was legally obtainable at the time, added an archaic yet lethal element to the modern-day confrontation, prompting discussions about regulations on such devices.
Jason King’s Background and the Lead-Up to the Violence
To understand the motivations behind Jason King’s actions, it’s essential to examine his personal history and the circumstances leading up to the May 10 incident. King, a resident of School Close, had worked in the computer industry but was grappling with significant mental health challenges.
Court hearings revealed that he suffered from anxiety and depression, conditions exacerbated by his use of cannabis, which prosecutors suggested may have played a role in aggravating his behavior on that day. More disturbingly, King’s mental state had deteriorated to the point where he believed he could communicate with his neighbor’s dog and even an Egyptian god, delusions that were highlighted during the sentencing as indicators of his worsening condition.
Jason King was no stranger to the criminal justice system. He had prior convictions, including one for possessing a bladed article in public and another for assaulting a neighbor, pointing to a pattern of escalating conflicts. These earlier incidents likely contributed to his sense of grievance, particularly towards the police, whom he felt had not adequately addressed his complaints. The day before the attack, his call to report broken windows went unresolved in his mind, fueling a desire to “settle a score” with both neighbors and authorities, as Judge Jonathan Cooper noted during the hearing.
The purchase of the crossbow itself raised eyebrows in court. Acquired cheaply online, King claimed it was for recreational purposes, but the judge dismissed this, suggesting it was bought with potential confrontations in mind. This detail has sparked wider debates about the ease of obtaining such weapons, especially in light of recent calls for stricter controls following similar incidents across the UK.
In his defense, barrister Mark Kimsey portrayed King’s actions as “totally out of character,” emphasizing his client’s embarrassment and shame. King, who had been on remand since May 2024, was said to be doing well in custody and expressed a desire to apologize to those affected. However, the prosecution, led by Graham Smith, painted a different picture, highlighting King’s deliberate intent, including the grin before shooting PC Foster and his persistent pursuit of the officers.
The neighbor dispute at the heart of the incident was described as long-standing, with petty arguments snowballing into violence. Mahwuto’s partner was also referenced in some accounts as being involved, though the primary victim was Mahwuto himself. This background illustrates how untreated mental health issues, combined with unresolved conflicts, can lead to catastrophic outcomes, affecting not just the individuals involved but entire communities.
The Trial, Sentencing, and Lasting Impact
The legal culmination of this case came at Aylesbury Crown Court, where Jason King faced sentencing after pleading guilty to a raft of charges: unlawful wounding, possessing an article with a blade or point, possessing an offensive weapon, wounding with intent, and affray. During the hearing on August 20, 2025, King occasionally interrupted the proceedings, shaking his head in apparent disagreement, but the evidence was overwhelming.
Judge Jonathan Cooper, presiding over the case, described Jason King’s behavior as that of someone “beside yourself” with anger, intent on hunting down the police. He sentenced King to nine years in prison, with an additional three years on extended license upon release, reflecting the serious risk King posed to the public. The judge commended PC Foster and his colleagues for their bravery, noting that their actions likely prevented further harm.
Victim impact statements were poignant. PC Foster spoke of how the attack altered his life, making him more cautious and protective at work. He recalled fearing he might never see his family again amid the blood loss and chaos, though his wound has healed, leaving only a scar. Mahwuto echoed these sentiments, stating the incident’s psychological toll was greater than expected, forever changing his sense of security in his own home.
The aftermath extends beyond the courtroom. Thames Valley Police Federation recognized the ten officers involved with the 2025 Bravery Awards, acknowledging their handling of a “dangerous man with a crossbow.” The incident has also fueled calls for better mental health interventions and tighter restrictions on crossbows, which remain legal but are under scrutiny.
In reflecting on this case, it’s clear that while justice has been served, the scars—both physical and emotional—will endure for the victims and the community. Jason King’s imprisonment offers closure, but it also serves as a cautionary tale about the intersections of mental health, weapon access, and neighborhood harmony. As Downley moves forward, the hope is for healing and prevention of such tragedies in the future.