Supermarket knifeman had just left custody
Man held over stabbing rampage in car park allegedly attacked a police officer the previous day
A MAN who went on a knife rampage in a supermarket car park, leaving one woman critical and another three with stab wounds, had just been released from custody after allegedly attacking a police officer the day before.
The 66-year-old man, described by witnesses as “out of it”, ran through the Sainsbury’s car park in Hampton, south-west London, stabbing women.
Onlookers described how women were screaming for help as the attacker stabbed them in the back and legs during the mid-morning rampage.
Bystanders tried to distract the attacker, before police used a stun gun to corner him and arrested him on suspicion of attempted murder.
But it has now emerged that the man had been charged with possessing a knife and attacking a police officer hours before and had only just been released on police bail.
The Metropolitan Police’s directorate of professional standards and the Independent Police Complaints Commission have both been informed.
Yesterday’s car park attack took place as shoppers stocked up for the weekend at the busy supermarket.
Witnesses described women screaming for help as the attacker stabbed them in the back and legs. Bystanders tried to distract the man, before police used a stun gun to corner him. A man in his sixties was later arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
A member of staff at the nearby Hampton Pub said: “He only went for the women. The man ran through and started attacking them.
“It didn’t seem like they knew him – it was completely unprovoked.
“He appeared to be out of it, on drugs or crazy.”
One woman, named locally as Janet Morsey, 62, was taken away by air ambulance and was last night said to be in a critical condition in hospital.
Three other victims, aged 67, 71 and 53 were all treated for knife wounds.
Scotland Yard said the attack was not thought to be terrorism-related.
A spokesman said: “A man in his 60s was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder and is currently in custody. A Taser was deployed during his arrest; but it was not discharged.”