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OVAL BOLT 'NOT ME'

Plasterer, 35, arrested after crossbow bolt was fired on to the pitch at The Oval cricket ground tells police ‘he is innocent’

Wayne Brooks maintains he was at a McDonald's ten miles away at the time

A DAD arrested on suspicion of firing a crossbow bolt into The Oval during a cricket match says he is innocent.

Wayne Brooks, 35, says he was at a McDonald’s ten miles away on Thursday afternoon.

 The bolt was fired onto the pitch during a match between Surrey and Middlesex
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The bolt was fired onto the pitch during a match between Surrey and MiddlesexCredit: PA:Press Association

The plasterer was quizzed over attempted GBH after walking into Brixton nick, South London, at 2am on Saturday.

He said: “I told police I’d finished work at 4pm and my girlfriend asked me to pick up some food on the way home.

"I don’t have a crossbow. They’ve got the wrong guy.”

Brooks, who lives in Biggin Hill, Kent, told The Sun: "My brother called me late on Friday night and told me the police had been round and that I needed to go to the station.

"So I went straight to Brixton police station, I got there about 2am and I was arrested and put in a cell.

 One of the umpires holding the bolt after play was suspended
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One of the umpires holding the bolt after play was suspendedCredit: PA:Press Association
 The arrow being carried by a steward after the ground was evacuated
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The arrow being carried by a steward after the ground was evacuatedCredit: Alamy Live News

"They interviewed me and I told them I finished work at about 4pm and my girlfriend asked me to pick up some food on the way home.

"I went to McDonald's in Bromley and bought dinner for my girlfriend and kids then I went straight home.

"I was in a cell for 12 hours and left at 2pm on Saturday.

"I was worried, when I was in the cell I thought they were going to remand me in custody."

 Armed police were called to the ground but terrorism was ruled out
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Armed police were called to the ground but terrorism was ruled outCredit: EPA
 Spectators leaving the ground after the incident
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Spectators leaving the ground after the incidentCredit: Darren Fletcher - The Sun

Cops burst into mum Beverley’s flat, overlooking the ground, on Friday. She said: “He hasn’t lived here for 12 years.”

Stunned witnesses told how they saw top players flee when the metal bolt flew from outside the stadium and landed on the pitch during the game.

Detective Constable Dominic Landragin of Lambeth CID said: "There were significant crowds watching the match and it is likely that a number of those present will have footage of the incident that could assist in our investigation.

"Although nobody was injured, this was a reckless action taken with no regard for the safety and wellbeing of the spectators or the players.

"It is important that we trace those responsible and I urge anyone who has footage of the incident to get in touch as soon as possible."

Armed police flocked to the 25,000 capacity venue but Met Police said they were keeping an "open mind" around the motive - and said it was not believed to be terrorism-related.
Around 1,000 spectators were in the ground at the time of the incident.

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