Kent's 'Naked Carpenter' jailed for 30 years after attempting to murder police officer with scissors
The constable's colleague says she will never forget the "cry of anguish" coming from behind the door during the attack
Last updated 4th Feb 2025
A suspected flasher nicknamed the "Naked Carpenter" has been jailed for thirty years for trying to kill a police officer by stabbing him 23 times with a pair of scissors.
Robert Jenner, 50, attempted to murder Kent police constable Sean Quinn after he stabbed him in the head, face and neck on June 15, 2023 at his flat in Maidstone.
Jenner "launched" himself at the officer, who was seen screaming for help with a bloodied face in the dark of his kitchen living room.
Pc Quinn suffered multiple injuries including a "gaping wound" across his forehead, exposing his skull.
Jurors returned a majority verdict finding Jenner guilty of attempted murder in December.
Prosecutor Daniel Stevenson had told jurors at the time: "(Pc Quinn) was wearing a stab-proof vest, what was exposed was his face, head and neck.
That is what the Crown says he had in mind: This defendant, for whatever reason, he chose in that moment to try and end that police officer's life and continued to do so even when other officers came into the room."
Jenner was released from prison two days before the incident, having served a sentence for breaching a court order banning him from wearing see-through clothing.
He believes he is a naturist and has 11 convictions for exposure as well as two breaches of the court order, jurors were told last year.
He previously gained fame as the "Naked Carpenter" for doing carpentry in the nude.
Constables Quinn and Angela Bates, of Kent Police, went to visit his home and arrest him on June 15 2023 after they suspected him of matching a report of a male running naked in Mote Park, Maidstone, "nipping in and out of bushes, exposing himself to women" at 7.50pm.
When they arrived, "aggressive" and "completely naked" Jenner barricaded his flat with a sofa and officers decided to force entry to his home to arrest him.
Pc Quinn followed Jenner into his kitchen living room where the door closed behind him and Pc Bates said she will never forget the "cry of anguish" coming from behind the door.
When she got in the room, she said: "His head (Quinn) was covered in blood and there was a pool of blood just spilling out behind his head, it was horrific."
Pc Bates then hit Jenner five or six times before he released the scissors from his hands.
When Jenner was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, he said, "I didn't mean to do it" and "is he okay?" and "F*** oh mate, I didn't want this to happen, I didn't want it to come to this".
Pc Quinn was taken to King's College Hospital where he was treated for his wounds.
He was discharged the following day.
Today the trial was held in Jenner’s absence, as he repeatedly refused to leave his cell.
He was deemed 'dangerous' and will have to serve at least two thirds before he can apply for parole.
Upon his eventual release from prison, Jenner will be the subject of an extended licence period of five years.
Chief Superintendent Neil Loudon said:
‘Jenner was responsible for a sustained and savage attack against a front-line police officer dedicated to serving his local community.
This terrifying ordeal lasted more than 20 seconds and only ended when colleagues were able to intervene and assist the officer in restraining Jenner.
Jenner has inflicted some of the worst injuries to a constable I have ever seen and this case is also a reminder of the challenges police officers face through their readiness to confront danger and protect others.
Throughout all the court proceedings Jenner has displayed his clear contempt for the law and has also remained unrepentant for his shocking actions.
He remains a serious and substantial threat to the public and will now rightly be in prison for a very long time.’