Police make new appeal over New Year’s Eve stabbing of teenager

Jan 26 2012 by Michael Byrne, Skelmersdale Advertiser

POLICE in Skelmersdale are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a man was stabbed and seriously assaulted on New Year’s Eve.

The attack, reported in the Advertiser at the time, happened on Ashwall Street, Skelmersdale, at around 11.30pm, when the 17-year-old victim was rushed to hospital suffering a punctured lung.

The teenager had been enjoying a party hosted by a friend.

He left the front of the house to greet two of his friends when he saw two men standing in the street directly opposite.

The victim approached them, and, without provocation, one of them then punched him in the face.

The second man had a knife concealed up the sleeve of his jacket and then stabbed him to the right side of his chest.

The victim wrestled with the men in self-defence, and both fell to the floor before running away from the scene. DC Steve Wilcox said: “This was a completely unprovoked attack in which the victim suffered a punctured lung and had to remain in hospital for surgery and treatment for over a week. I would appeal to anybody that was in the area at the time of the incident that witnessed anything that could assist with our investigation to come forward.

“I would also appeal for anybody that may know who is directly responsible for the attack to contact me directly or in confidence via Crimestoppers.” The first attacker is described as white, stocky, 6ft, and about 17 years old, with black hair and a spotty face.

The second was about 15, white, slim and around 5ft 4in. He spoke with a local or Wigan accent. Anyone with information should call Lancashire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers onn 0800 555 111 or on-line at Crimestoppers-uk.org