Man arrested in A&E stabbing
A MAN who was stabbed by a knifeman outside an Accident and Emergency department is in a stable condition in hospital.
Leicestershire Police said that a 24-year-old man is currently undergoing medical treatment after the incident outside Leicester Royal Infirmary.
Another member of the public sustained “a superficial injury” during the attack, the force said in a statement.
An eyewitness said a man wearing a hoodie and sunglasses walked towards the building with a large knife.
“While we were sat in the reception waiting area after 2am I witnessed a male walking towards A&E with a long bladed knife, this male stabbed another male who was stood outside the A&E entrance doors,” he said.
The eyewitness, who does not want to be named, continued: “The injured man and his friend ran away from the department to protect themselves.
“The man with the knife then walked in to the reception, holding a big bladed knife in his hand.
“He threw the knife at the nurse standing near the reception desk. The nurse was shocked and looked very scared.
A spokeswoman for the University Hospitals of Leicester said: “We can confirm that an incident took place in our Emergency Department in the early hours of this morning.
“The individual caused damage to equipment.
“No staff were harmed. One patient has been treated for stab wounds and another for superficial injuries.
“We are working closely with the police who are investigating this.”
Leicestershire Police arrested a 20-year-old man on suspicion of Section 18 wounding with intent and remains in police custody.
The force said it was called to Leicester Royal Infirmary at around 2.20am on Tuesday after receiving a report that a man had been stabbed outside the building.
In a statement, a spokesperson said: “Officers are appealing for witnesses after a man was assaulted at a Leicester hospital.
“Police attended the A&E department of the Leicester Royal Infirmary at around 2.20am this morning after receiving a report that a man had been stabbed outside the building.
“Subsequent calls to the police reported the suspect being inside where he was threatening staff and some members of the public and causing extensive damage to hospital equipment.
“A 24-year-old man sustained stab wounds and is undergoing medical treatment. “His condition is stable. “A member of the public sustained a superficial injury during the incident.
“A man, 20, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of Section 18 wounding with intent and remains in police custody.
“If you have any information about the incident and have not already been spoken to by officers we would urge you to get in touch.
“Call 101 if you can help quoting incident 24 of 16 January.”
Shadow health secretary and Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth has praised staff at the hospital for their handling of the incident.
He said: “This is a very serious incident and our thoughts and prayers are with the person who has been stabbed. “We hope he will be okay. “Yet again it shows the bravery of NHS staff who are there showing huge compassion while looking after our sick and elderly people.
“No member of staff should be in a situation where their lives and safety is at risk.”