‘Cannibal torture fantasy’ chef, Jacob Power from Hamstead Marshall, jailed - but risk remains, court told

PLEASE NOTE: Some readers may find some parts of this report disturb

A chef obsessed with torturing, killing and even eating victims has been jailed today, Friday.

But authorities fear he could remain a risk to the public once he is released.

Following a two-week trial at Reading Crown Court last month, the 22-year-old, of Ash Tree Grove, Hamstead Marshall, was convicted of burglary, criminal damage and possessing cannabis - but cleared of more serious charges suggesting he intended a massacre.

Detectives who searched his home found a ‘kill list’ plus night vision goggles, equipment for hanging victims from hooks, syringes, chemicals to make chloroform, rope, chains, knives, cable ties, handcuffs, duct tape, bleach, a shovel and a cutthroat razor.

For the horrific background to the case, click here: https://newburytoday.co.uk/news/breaking-news-deranged-cannibal-obsessed-chef-locked-up-af-9430163/

At today’s sentencing Ian McLoughlin KC, for Power, pointed out that jurors had acquitted his client of aggravated burglary - meaning they could not be sure he had intended to fulfill his cannabalistic murder fantasies on residents of the former Hamstead Marshall pub, The White Hart.

He said psychiatrists who examined him found him “very engaged” and insisted his client was genuinely remorseful.

The former Park House School pupil had been working as a chef at The Craven Arms in Enborne at the time.

Judge Heather Norton said the verdicts made for a difficult sentencing exercise because jurors apparently accepted he had not meant to carry out his detailed murder fantasies in real life.

But she rejected his contention that he had merely been “urban exploring” when he burgled The White Hart where a family was living.

She told Power: “I make it plain I don’t accept your account or your reasons for going to The White Hart.

“[All the evidence] gives the lie to a sudden and never before evinced desire to go urban exploring.”

She found it was “extremely likely” that he was armed with a knife at the time, despite his denial.

Judge Norton added: “However, to sentence you on that basis would be impermissible and would be straying into the jury’s territory by substituting my own view for theirs.”

Thus she could only sentence Power on the straightforward burglary and damage charges.

She went on: “I’ve never come across a case quite like this and, I suspect, neither has anyone else involved in it.

“It is deeply disturbing and, in my experience, unprecedented…unique.

“You are a disturbed and troubled young man - but there is no illness that would warrant treatment under the Mental Health Act.”

She noted that Power had apparently not sought further treatment for his mental aberration because he felt he didn’t need it and that a psychiatrist and probation officer had expressed concern for the public should he succumb to his former cannabis addiction.

A pre-sentence report had branded Power a “high risk to members of the public,” Judge Norton said.

However, she added: “I’m bound to sentence you today, not for what you might have done or might do in the future.”

Judge Norton sentenced Power to two years and six months’ imprisonment, half of which will be spent in custody and half on licence in the community - minus the time he has spent on remand since August.

She concluded: “When you are released you will be subject, undoubtedly, to stringent licence conditions.”

Afterwards, investigating officer Det Con Isabelle Denis, of Berkshire West CID, said: “Jacob Power has now been sentenced for these burglaries, which on the face of them seem ordinary.

“However, knowing what we found in his bedroom, Power’s behaviour is disturbing so I am pleased he has been sentenced following our investigation.

“We are resolute in our commitment to protecting the public and will always look to bring offenders like Power to justice.”