AN off-duty cop was stabbed when he came face-to-face with a killer who murdered a young mum and her little boy while walking his dogs.
Brave PC Steve Denniss confronted evil Daniel Boulton just hours after 26-year-old Bethany Vincent and her nine-year-old son Darren were knifed to death.
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The officer had been on a day off with pets Cooper and Zorro when he ran into the murderer at beauty spot Hubbard’s Hill in in Louth, Lincolnshire.
Boulton quickly attacked PC Denniss and stabbed him in the thigh.
But the policeman was able to alert fellow officers – and even returned to his job with the firearms team the very next day.
PC Denniss told Grimsby Live: “In 20 years of doing my job, he is the most dangerous person I have ever had to deal with.
“I saw his face as he was coming towards me with a knife.
“I would class him as evil. I saw the look in his face. He would have killed me without so much as a second thought.
“It’s just what we do as police officers and I was just doing my job.”
‘HE’S EVIL’
PC Denniss spotted Boulton speaking to a woman – and immediately recognised him from photos circulated by Lincolnshire Police as they hunted from the killer.
He said he immediately feared for the woman, and “approached to get hands-on”.
“I identified myself as a police officer and there were punches thrown and kicks – I managed to get him in the goolies,” he said.
He quickly called police and told them his location as he gave chase.
Boulton then drew a knife on a member of the public before turning and trying to get PC Denniss’ phone.
“He lunged at me several times but I dodged as he tried to get me in the torso,” the cop said.
MONSTER KILLED MUM AND SON
“I hit down on his hand and that’s when he got me with the tip of the knife.”
After a huge manhunt, Boulton was eventually cornered. He has been handed two life sentences with a minimum term of 40 years for the horror.
A judge said he killed little Darren – known as DJ – because of his “hatred” of the boy’s autism and his irrational fear the condition was “contagious”.
PC Denniss said: “These were tragic circumstances.
“But they were brilliant sentences. It was a heinous crime and he has got as close to a whole life term as is possible.”
Assistant Chief Constable Kerrin Wilson said: “My heartfelt condolences go to the family of Bethany and DJ. This was an horrific attack on a mum and her child, and I cannot imagine what they must be going through.
“Although we sadly cannot change what took place in this tragic case, I would like to thank Pc Denniss and the team that helped apprehend Boulton.
“I would also like to thank the investigation team, and the Crown Prosecution Service which has done a great job in bringing justice to the family.
“PC Denniss put his life at risk to ensure this dangerous man was arrested. His commitment, professionalism and bravery is commended and he is a credit to our policing family.”
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