A have-a-go hero dubbed the “Lion of London Bridge” after he tackled machete-wielding terrorists has been spared jail despite admitting possessing drugs.
Millwall football fan Roy Larner, 49, was badly injured when he took on the terrorists during the attack on Borough Market, south London, in June 2017 in which eight people were killed.
But police found half-a-pound of illegal amphetamines when they raided Larner’s caravan in Romney Marsh, Kent, last September.
He pleaded guilty to possessing the drugs, but denied a more serious charge of intending to sell the substance to others when he appeared at Canterbury Crown Court in October, and the case was adjourned for trial.
But prosecutors accepted Larner’s guilty plea to possession and dropped the dealing charge when he appeared back at the court earlier this month (JAN).
Larner was sentenced to a 12 month community order, and was ordered to attend a 10 days rehabilitation programme.
He was also in breach of a suspended sentence order which was extended for three month.
Larner was praised after he confronted the Jihadi Suicide Squad, shouting, “f*** you, I’m Millwall!”, before being hacked with machetes.
He was one of 48 people injured in the attack, and spent 12 days in hospital after receiving more than 80 stitches to his head, ear, arms and hands.
Members of the public donated £50,000 to help him to get back on his feet.
An online petition was also calling for him to be presented with the George Cross – the second highest award in the UK honours system – was also launched.
By Stephen Beech
