Mum stabbed six times with screwdriver outside primary school

A MOTHER-OF-SIX was last night fighting for her life in hospital after being stabbed outside a primary school.

Neighbours told how Carol Bailey was stabbed up to six times with a screwdriver as she walked past Abbey Hulton Primary School.

Mrs Bailey, who is in her late 40s and lives in Abbey Lane, Abbey Hulton, was taken to hospital in a 'critical' condition.

A 58-year-old Stoke-on-Trent man has been arrested in connection with yesterday morning's stabbing and was being questioned last night.

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The school closed early yesterday afternoon after pupils had earlier been kept inside while police forensics teams searched the area outside the Abbey Road school.

Parent Sammy Ley, aged 41, of Abbey Road, said: "My dad lives opposite the school and he saw a woman lying on the pavement. He just thought she had passed out but then he saw the police and ambulance arrive."

Ms Ley, who had to pick up her son Leon early from the school, added: "It is shocking. You don't know if some of the kids could have seen something."

Parents were sent three text messages from the school following the stabbing at 11am.

One sent at 12.19pm read: "Be assured all our children are safe."

Parent Michelle Lowry, aged 40, of Priory Road, Abbey Hulton said: "I couldn't believe it when I saw the text. It was very worrying for everyone.

"We know of the lady who has been stabbed. She is a familiar face around here and seemed like a nice lady. People always see her walking the dogs.

"You don't expect these things to happen outside a school."

Police cordoned off part of Abbey Road for a number of hours following the incident.

Inspector Shaun Kerrigan, from Stoke-on-Trent Central Local Policing Team, said: "This was a very serious incident.

"It's believed the man and woman involved are known to each other, and, at this early stage in our inquiries, we're not looking for anyone else.

"This was an isolated incident which was not linked to the primary school in any way."

Witnesses should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

UPDATE: A 58-year-old man has now been charged with attempted murder in relation to incident.

He is being held in custody and will appear before Magistrates on Wednesday morning