He Was Britain’s ‘most Wanted Man’ (Press, 26 October 1983)

David Martin, a 36-year-old man, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for a series of violent crimes, which culminated in the shooting of Police Constable Nick Carr on 5 August 1982. This incident unfolded during a burglary at a film processing laboratory, where Martin, dressed as a woman, attempted to disguise himself as a security guard. Despite his efforts to bluff his way out, he became flustered when challenged by officers and drew a hidden gun, injuring Carr in the groin during the ensuing struggle. The trial, taking place at the Old Bailey, lasted 15 days, during which Martin displayed a mixture of bravado and nonchalance. He joked about the unloaded gun presented to him in court, which was the same weapon used in the shooting, creating a moment of dark humour that the judge, Mr Justice Kilner-Brown, acknowledged. Martin was convicted on multiple charges including wounding a police officer, burglary, theft, and firearms offences. His acquittal on other charges, including one for the attempted murder of Carr, highlighted the complexity of the case. Born in Paddington in 1947, Martin's early life hinted at a troubled future. He had a history of criminal activity, including fraud and burglary, and had served time in detention and prison. Martin's violent tendencies emerged early, with a notable incident of assaulting police officers at age 18. Over the years, he developed a fierce anti-authority attitude, stemming from his long-term incarceration, including a notorious escape from Brixton prison. His criminal trajectory became increasingly erratic and dangerous, encompassing shoot-outs with police and a bizarre transvestite life, where he often hid weapons in women's clothing. Friends noted his peculiar enjoyment of dressing in drag, while he maintained romantic relationships with women. His last girlfriend, Sue Stephens, inadvertently became part of the police effort to capture him, acting as bait when they set a trap for Martin. Following the shooting of Carr, Martin fled to Europe, hiding out in Spain and France before returning to the UK. His eventual capture on 15 September was marked by confusion over his gender as he was initially mistaken for a woman amidst the chaos of the police ambush. During the standoff, he threatened officers with a gun, prompting one to shoot him in the neck. Following his escape from custody on Christmas Eve, when police mistakenly shot a bystander they believed to be Martin, he remained on the run until he was finally captured. Martin’s final arrest came about when he unwittingly walked into a police trap, set after they anticipated his return to meet Stephens. Throughout his criminal career, Martin demonstrated a deep awareness of police methods and maintained a sense of pride in his criminal expertise. His obsession with firearms and security systems, developed while incarcerated, contributed to his reluctance to be captured. Despite his dark intentions, Martin's personality added a layer of complexity to his character, evoking both intrigue and disdain during his trial. Police authorities warned that Martin was armed and likely to use violence, reflecting the serious threat he posed throughout his criminal exploits.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand