Teenager Jailed For Abingdon Stabbing

20 January 2019, 07:07

A teenager has been jailed for stabbing a woman in a "shocking" random attack in a busy park.

Oliver Welsby approached his victim, aged in her 50s, from behind in Boxhill Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, placed his hand over her mouth and stabbed her in the stomach in the attack on July 19 last year.

The 18-year-old, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent at Oxford Crown Court and was sentenced to an extended period of imprisonment, consisting of eight years' custody plus a further five years on licence.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: "The victim was walking her dog, and Welsby selected his victim at random. He approached her from behind, placed his hand over her mouth and stabbed her in the stomach."

Detective Inspector Ali Driver said: "This was a needless, unprovoked and vicious attack on an innocent member of the public going about her day-to-day routine.

"There were many people in the park that morning, making the most of the summer weather, and the victim was merely in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"Welsby chose his victim completely at random, which is highly unusual, and makes this assault all the more shocking.

"Welsby will now serve a lengthy term of imprisonment for this crime, and I hope that the victim and family can draw some comfort from this."