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ITN
Teenage girl fights for life after stabbing
Teenage girl fights for life after stabbing
A "defenceless" teenage girl is in a critical condition in hospital after being stabbed several times in a frenzied attack.Jessica Louise Knight, 14, was found by a passer by on Monday afternoon in Astley Park, in Chorley, Lancashire.Detective Superintendent Steve Brunskill, leading the police investigation, said: "This is a particularly nasty assault on a defenceless young girl and I am appealing for anyone who was in the Astley Village or Astley Park area between 4.30pm and 5.30pm yesterday to contact the incident room at Chorley."At this early stage of the investigation we are unsure of the motive and would urge people in the area to take precautions for their own safety until this dangerous offender, or offenders, is caught."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.Meanwhile, police are questioning three teenagers after a youth was stabbed to death in Edmonton, northeast London. He was pronounced dead at the scene.A second youth who was also stabbed was taken to a north London hospital where he is believed to be in a stable condition.Both victims are yet to be identified and next of kin informed. A post-mortem examination has not yet been arranged.Police believe a number of youths may have been involved in an argument before the stabbing, although the circumstances surrounding the attack are unclear.© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.
ITN | January 22, 2008
