23/01/2008

Man Held After Horrific Stab Attack

A suspect has been arrested in connection with a knife attack that has left a schoolgirl fighting for her life.

Jessica Knight, 14, suffered multiple knife wounds after being attacked while walking through Astley Park in Chorley, Lancs, at around 5.15pm on Monday.

She is now in a critical but stable condition in hospital amid reports she may have been stabbed up to 30 times.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said the suspect had been arrested overnight on suspicion of attempted murder.

Jessica was found 'covered in blood' after members of the public heard her screams.

Two people walking in the park helped the teenager who was given first aid before being taken to hospital by ambulance.

Jessica underwent five hours of emergency surgery at Chorley Hospital after the attack.

Jessica is thought to have gone to the park, a popular hangout for young people, after visiting shops in Astley Village.

Detectives said they are with the girl's family at hospital and are waiting to speak to her to try to piece together what happened.

In the meantime, extra officers, included mounted police, have been put on patrol in the area to reassure locals.

A 21-year-old man has been arrested.

See: Teenager Critical After Knife Attack



(BMcC)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

09 December 2008
Frenchman Jailed For Life For Jessica Attack
A 21-year-old Frenchman has been jailed for life for the attempted murder of a teenage girl as she walked through a park. Jessica Knight, then 14, was listening to her MP3 player when French national Kristofer Beddar knifed her about 20 times in the chest, neck, stomach and back as she walked through the park in Chorley, Lancashire.
30 September 2011
Baby Unhurt As Teen Mum Shot
A teenager mum who was holding her 11-month-old son has been shot and wounded after she came under fire from a shotgun as she talked to two friends in west London.
13 February 2015
Police Carry Out Searches Following Terrorism Arrest
The North West Counter Terrorism Unit has carried out a number of searches in Merseyside following the arrest of a man on suspicion of planning acts of terrorism on Wednesday. The anti-terrorism officers were joined by Merseyside Police in searching five addresses linked to the 31-year-old suspect.
09 February 2012
Prince Harry Completes Apache Training
His Royal Highness Prince Harry, or Captain Wales as he is known in the Army, has been named best co-pilot gunner in his Apache training course. Captain Wales and his fellow trainees have now completed the Conversion to Role (CTR) course which involves 18 months of rigorous training on the Apache attack helicopter.
29 September 2010
Al-Qaeda Attack Plans Uncovered
Western intelligence agencies are tracking serious al-Qaeda attack plans on cities in Germany, France and Britain. The suspected plot is believed to be in its early stages and involves jihadists seizing and murdering Western hostages. The national threat level remains at its current 'severe' level.