A MEMORIAL to a policeman slain by Barry Prudom has been wrecked by vandals, say the dead man's outraged colleagues.

The memorial bench was placed near Malton police station by the Town Council in memory of Sergeant David Winter, who was shot dead in Old Malton in 1982.

The bench has been smashed up beyond repair.

Inspector Neil Burnett, of Malton police, said: "As local police commander I am disgusted. This sergeant gave his life to the local community."

The Inspector, who joined the police a week before Sergeant Winter was murdered, said he would make every effort to find another lasting memorial. He added that he was aware of a charitable trust dedicated to police killed in the line of duty set up by film director Michael Winner and that he would make contact with it.

Inspector Burnett put the attack down to thoughtless vandals: "I do not think it was an attack against Sergeant Winter. It probably just happened to be in the way of some drunken vandals," he said.

Sergeant Winter was shot dead by Prudom, whose real name was Barry Peter Edwards, on Monday, June 28, 1982.

Prudom had jumped bail at Leeds Crown Court. His killing spree began on June 17 when he shot dead PC David Haigh, at Norwood Edge near Beckwithshaw.

Prudom then travelled to Girton, near Newark, where he shot George and Sylvia Luckett. Mrs Luckett survived but her husband was killed.

Prudom stole the Lucketts' car and returned to Yorkshire where he shot and injured PC Ken Oliver in Dalby Forest, near Pickering, on June 24.

Sergeant Winter was killed when he approached Prudom in Old Malton. Prudom eventually shot himself, on Sunday, July 4, when he was cornered by armed police at Malton Tennis Club.