Man who tried to kill officer at rail station jailed

A man who tried to kill a volunteer police officer by stabbing him in the back of the neck at a railway station in Lancashire has been jailed.

Russell Smith, of Shakespeare Road, Preston, was found guilty of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article by a jury at Preston Crown Court on 27 February.

The 54-year-old was jailed for 27 years at the same court.

The victim, a special constable for British Transport Police, had been policing Preston station during the Radio 2 in the Park festival on the evening of 7 September.

Smith approached the officer from behind at about 21:30 BST while he was speaking to members of the public, repeatedly moving his hand to his trouser pocket where he had a kitchen knife concealed, police said.

The attacker followed the officer outside the station, standing directly behind him and staring at him with his hand on the knife in his pocket.

Then, as the officer walked back into the station, Smith pulled the knife from his pocket, raised it above his head and ran towards him, stabbing him in the back of the neck and puncturing his spine.

The court heard the force of the blow caused the officer to fall forwards and Smith moved towards him again with the knife as his victim tried to crawl away.

A colleague who heard the officer's screams ran to his aid and Smith backed away.

He used his pepper spray to restrain Smith, who dropped the knife while another officer handcuffed him.

Smith was taken into custody where he continued to be violent, telling officers he would attack more officers and asking if the victim was dead.

Assistant Chief Constable Charlie Doyle said: "We hope the officer, who has already returned to his duties protecting the public and keeping the railway safe, can now gain some closure from what was an horrific experience."

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