Leicester stabbing: Attack on ten-year-old boy linked to two other attacks

20 January 2020, 21:03

By Nick Hardinges

@NHardinges

Police have linked the stabbing of a 10-year-old boy in front of his mother to two other attacks in Leicester.

The child, who suffered non-life threatening injuries, was in Belper Street at around 5:20pm on Saturday when he was stabbed by a "chubby" Asian man who fled the scene.

Emergency services were called by a member of the public and the 10-year-old was taken to Queen's Medical Centre in nearby Nottingham.

He remains there in a stable condition and his mother was not injured.

Leicestershire Police said they are looking for a light-skinned Asian man in his mid-20s, who is around 5ft 10ins tall. They added that he was of a "chubby build" and wearing a brown coloured jacket.

Detectives investigating the shocking attack have now suggested it could be linked to two other reported incidents in the area within the past week.

One of those included a woman, in her 30s, who was in Doncaster Road with her two children at about 7:15pm on Tuesday 14 January when she was cut in the back of the head.

She turned around and claimed to see a person with a knife who ran from the scene towards Melton Road.

The woman has since been treated and discharged from hospital. The two children were not injured.

On Thursday 16 January, a man in his 70s was found with wounds to his head and hands on Dean Road.

Initial CCTV images suggest the victim was attacked by a man with an object, officers said.

He was also taken to hospital but has since been discharged.

Police have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to identify in connection with the case.

Detective Inspector Tim Lindley said: "These are serious incidents and we have a team of dedicated officers and staff carrying out full enquiries to establish the full circumstances."

Mr Lindley reminded people to "remain aware and vigilant" and to call 999 "immediately" if they see or recognise the man. He also warned people not to approach him.

"Please look after yourselves and those around you, and please take steps to keep yourselves safe when you are out and about," he added.

"Please be assured that we do have officers in the area offering reassurance to residents and speaking to people regarding any concerns. Please do speak to these officers if you are in the area."

Police are also urging any witnesses to the incidents or anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage from the area to get in touch by calling 101 and quoting incident 145 of January 19.