Top Powys runner charged with attempted murder of UK Athletics boss
A top Powys runner has appeared in court today charged with the attempted murder of a senior UK Athletics boss at an international stadium.
Former English Fell Running champion Lauren Jeska is alleged to have stabbed 51-year-old Ralph Knibbs, head of human resources and welfare at UK Athletics, at Alexander Stadium on Tuesday.
Mr Knibbs is also a former professional rugby player and represented England at under-23 level.
The attack is reported to have taken place in an office at the stadium near Birmingham, which is the headquarters of the athletics' governing body.
The 41-year-old was also accused of unlawfully and maliciously wounding, with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, two other men, Tim Begley and Kevin Taylor.
Jeska, from Wesley Terrace, Machynlleth, is further charged with being in possession of three bladed articles: a 12cm kitchen knife, 13cm kitchen knife and a bread knife.
Officers were called to the 12,700-seater stadium at just before 10.30am on Tuesday after reports a man had been stabbed. Mr Knibbs remains in a stable condition in hospital.
He was a professional player for Bristol Rugby and played for England Under-23s but turned down the chance to go on the 1984 England rugby union tour of South Africa because of his opposition to apartheid.
In 2007 he was named in The Sunday Times top 10 centres of all time, along with names such as Brian O'Driscoll and Simon Halliday by Bath rival Jeremy Guscott who described Knibbs as being "silky and absolutely superb."
Jeska, who was wearing trainers, light grey tracksuit bottoms and a navy T-shirt, appeared before District Judge Khalid Qureshi at Birmingham Magistrates Court. She spoke only to give her name, address and date of birth.
Running websites say she has competed in numerous events around the country, and won the English Fell Running Championships in 2011.
The athlete was remanded in custody until April 25 to appear at Birmingham Crown Court.
Located in Perry Barr, Alexander Stadium is home to Birchfield Harriers Athletics Club and regularly hosts major athletics meetings, including the National Championships.
