Man who stabbed two strangers in neck is sentenced

A man who stabbed two people in the neck in an unprovoked Leicestershire petrol station attack will remain in hospital due to his mental health problems. Ellis Coulson had hid the knife behind his back before stabbing the victims.

The victims, both men, had driven to onto the forecourt at the BP Service Station on St Thomas Road in South Wigston in November last year when the attack happened at around 11.25pm. As the men approached the shop, they spoke with 20-year-old Ellis Coulson who was already standing at the kiosk. Coulson took a knife out of his pocket and hid it behind his back while he continued to talk to the pair.

He then attacked both men, stabbing each of them in the neck. Emergency services were called to reports of the stabbing, with the men later discharged from hospital.

READ MORE: Young man admits stabbing two people in neck at petrol station

Coulson was later identified by officers who watched CCTV footage of what happened but Leicestershire Police were unable to find him. Coulson, of no fixed address, eventually handed himself in to the police about two weeks later. He was charged with attempting to murder the men.

In September, Coulson, who denied attempted murder, was due to stand trial but pleaded guilty to lesser charges on the first day of the trial. He pleaded guilty to two counts of wounding with intent, as well as possession of a blade in public.

On Friday ( November 22) at Leicester Crown Court he was sentenced to nine years in prison but he was given a "hybrid order" under the Mental Health Act. That means he will continue to receive treatment in hospital - where he has been held since his arrest - and once it is deemed he no longer needs treatment he will be moved to prison to serve the rest of his sentence.

The sentence also includes three unrelated offences he had committed earlier - burglary, criminal damage and vehicle interference.

Detective Constable Owen Bird said: “Coulson’s actions that evening made it clear that he was in a possession of a knife, and he intended to use it. This incident could have quite easily led to life-changing injuries or even the loss of life.

"We are pleased he pleaded guilty to the offences, and we hope this admission of guilt reassures the victims and those who witnessed this vicious attack that justice has been done."