Woman admits stabbing defenceless elderly man
A WOMAN has appeared in court to admit stabbing an elderly man in his face, head and body - her second serious wounding offence in under five years.
Teresa Lavin, 54, launched the attack with a kitchen knife in a house in Poplars Close, Groby in November last year.
Her victim, who police said was known to Lavin, suffered multiple injuries, including a puncture wound above his heart, as she stabbed him in the head, face and body.
He required more than 120 stitches as a result of the attack and remains fearful of going out of his home.
Leicestershire Police released details of the case on Monday.
Lavin, of Poplars Close, was jailed for four years after she carried out a similar attack, in Markfield in 2013, when she stabbed a 68-year-old stranger.
The man, who was a stranger to Lavin, needed 11 stitches after the kitchen knife caused a wound two inches deep.
As she was arrested for the Markfield attack, Lavin – a former custody officer at Leicester Crown Court – headbutted a female police officer.
She appeared in court today to admit a charge of attempted murder in relation to the Groby attack.
She will be sentenced next month.
Police said the seriously injured man was able to call his friend and told her that he had been stabbed by Lavin.
When Lavin was found by police at her address in Poplars Close, she was wearing bloodstained clothing and in posses- sion of a blood-stained knife.
Detective Constable Kevin Sharkey, who conducted the police investigation, said: “This was a vicious and sustained attack on an elderly man, who was known to Lavin.
“It has come as a shock to members of the community in what is a peaceful village.
“The victim had pre-existing health conditions and due to the size of the knife, sustained significant injuries as a result.
“He is still suffering from flashbacks as a result of the attack and is fearful of being outside.
“He has been left incredibly shaken by the events and is being supported by agencies and members of the community.
“Thanks to the quick actions of officers, Lavin was arrested before anyone else was harmed.
“However we would stress that this was an isolated and unprovoked incident and there is no threat to the wider community.”
Lavin, whose address was given in court as HMP Peterborough, was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on Monday, March 12.