Knife attack transgender athlete jailed for 18 years
A FORMER champion fell runner has been jailed for 18 years after she attacked three men – including a former Stockport County boss – with a knife.
Lauren Jeska pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of UK Athletics official and former professional rugby player Ralph Knibbs at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium in March last year.
She also pleaded guilty to possession of two kitchen knives and to assault occasioning actual bodily harm on two other men, accountant Tim Begley and ex-Stockport County director Kevan Taylor, who tried to help Mr Knibbs.
Birmingham Crown Court heard that Jeska, 41, of Welsey Terrace, Machynlleth, Wales, had gone to the stadium armed with two knives, where she carried out a ‘frenzied attack’ on Mr Knibbs, 51, who was head of human resources and welfare at the governing body.
Mr Taylor, who stepped down from his role at Edgeley Park in 2014 and was operations director at UK Athletics at the time of the attack, said he received counselling sessions and suffered from recurring back trouble following the incident.
Richard Atkins QC, prosecuting, said Jeska was a transgender athlete who was in dispute with UK Athletics about her competing as a female athlete.
Defending, Julie Warburton said Jeska had been worried that her transgender status would be aired publicly. “She was a woman in crisis who needed assistance,” she added.
Ms Warburton also said Jeska had expressed remorse and felt ‘awful’ about what had happened to Mr Knibbs.
At the time of the attack Jeska was listed as a member of the West Yorkshire-based Todmorden Harriers and the club’s website said she was the women’s 2010, 2011, and 2012 English Fell Running Champion.
She won the British Championship in 2012.
Judge Simon Drew QC said the attack on Mr Knibbs was ‘frenetic’ and was ‘cool and calculated’.
He said he believed Jeska posed a significant risk to the public in the future, but he would not be imposing a life sentence, having taken into account her previous good character and the particular circumstances of the case.
Speaking after the sentencing, Jeska’s parents said the attack was wholly out of character and was triggered by a ‘mental health crisis’.