A courageous man in his 60s attempted to fend off an 'Eastern European' knifeman using only his hands before a golf club member discovered him on a bench with stab wounds, it emerged on Saturday.
The victim remains in a critical but stable condition in intensive care. A barman at the Stafford golf club near the scene of the unprovoked assault stated: 'We all hope the police catch the culprit soon. It was a horrific, shocking incident and very alarming that he is still on the run. We are praying the man makes a full recovery, and our hearts go out to him and his family.'
The man sustained multiple injuries to his legs and body, along with 'defensive' wounds on both hands. He was attacked from behind while walking along a public footpath near Stafford Castle Golf and Leisure club on Thursday evening. The victim, who has not been named but is believed to be from the Staffordshire area, managed to stagger from the tree-lined pathway to the clubhouse, where he collapsed on a memorial bench outside, bleeding profusely.
Police have launched a manhunt for the suspect, described as in his 20s and of 'Eastern European' appearance. As a four-club cup challenge took place on the course, 48 male golfers had to carefully take their shots while a dozen police officers remained at the scene. The footpath where the assault occurred, leading up the hill to the castle, remains cordoned off. However, the bench where the victim was found by a golfer was visible after a police tent covering it had been removed earlier.
The victim is not a member of the club, according to a barman working today. He recounted how a member discovered the man and immediately called 999. The worker, who declined to be named, said: 'The club was open late on Thursday, thankfully. I wasn't working but heard about it from Facebook and local and national news. Nobody seems to have witnessed the attack, but the man managed to reach the club and collapsed on the bench outside, pouring with blood. We heard he had injuries all over his body and legs, and defensive wounds on his hands, so it appears he tried to fight off his attacker.'
The barman added: 'It was a vicious and unprovoked attack, and it's awful that it happened so close to our club and course. This is a nice area and usually safe. The man is not a member but was just walking nearby and got attacked randomly. It's a popular route, a 15-minute walk up to the castle. The man was found slumped on the bench outside by one of our members. He was very badly injured, and luckily the golfer raised the alarm quickly. Teams of police have been here since, working around the clock, searching for clues and trying to find the weapon. We heard the suspect is Eastern European and a young man. His motive is unknown, but it's a terrible thing to have happened. It was a horrific incident, and it's very alarming that he is still on the run. They have to catch him!'
Police cordoned off the footpath and the bench, but this morning the tent surrounding the bench was lifted. A spare pair of blue forensic gloves placed on the seat were visible. The barman continued: 'There are seven cop cars parked up and must be 20 officers. They closed the club yesterday but reopened today. Our members and visiting golfers are aware of the crime. There are cops everywhere on the course and guarding the footpath.' A four-club challenge with three visiting clubs proceeded as scheduled. A visiting golfer commented: 'It's very surreal playing a tournament with police officers all over. We're thankful we can carry on playing and hope police find the attacker quickly. He needs to be locked up.'
The course is in a residential area, and locals are deeply concerned. One mother, whose home backs onto the course, said: 'This is very concerning for residents, golfers, and the public. Many people use the footpath to go up to the castle, and kids and adults cross the grounds to play the nine-hole foot golf course. Police have conducted house-to-house inquiries, but no one saw or heard anything untoward. It's frightening to think a man capable of attacking an elderly man so ferociously is still on the loose. But officers are everywhere, which gives some comfort and protection because it seems very unsafe.'
Emergency services rushed to the golf club off Newport Road shortly before 7pm on Thursday after reports of a man with multiple stab wounds. He was taken to hospital and treated for his injuries. Detectives are completing extensive CCTV and house-to-house enquiries, while drones and the National Police Air Service helicopter support the activities in the area. Staffordshire Police have launched a manhunt for the knifeman and stated they are doing 'all they can to identify and apprehend the suspect'.
A force spokesperson said: 'We were called at 7pm on Thursday May 14 to Newport Road, close to the golf club, following reports of violence. The victim, a man in his 60s, had been walking in the Castlefields area from Redgrave Drive towards Stafford Castle when he was approached from behind by an unknown man and assaulted. He was found on a bench by a member of the public who raised the alarm. Officers attended along with colleagues from West Midlands Ambulance Service, the Midlands Air Ambulance, and the National Police Air Service. The victim was taken to hospital by land ambulance. He remains in a critical but stable condition. The suspect is described as in his mid to late 20s, of average build, wearing dark clothing, and of Eastern European origin.'
Adrian Morris, who lives near the golf club, said: 'It's shocking. It's really not this type of area. We have a few kids on bikes, but nothing anti-social. Where it happened, it's a popular walkthrough up to the castle, and lots of people go up there. It gives a lovely view of the golf course. I haven't heard of anything bad happening there. Me and my wife walk that route all the time.' Local Janet Williams added: 'It's unbelievable. This is a really quiet and close neighbourhood. We will all be shocked for some time; it's just tragic really.'
A spokesperson from the golf club said everyone is coping but 'obviously shocked at the incident'. The course will be closed for as long as police need to investigate. A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'We were called to reports of a stabbing on Newport Road. One ambulance, a paramedic officer, a MERIT trauma doctor with a critical care paramedic, and the Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care Car attended. On arrival, we discovered one patient, a man. He was treated for serious injuries before being taken to hospital for further treatment.' Specialist officers continue to support the victim's family. Police are appealing for witnesses, and anyone with CCTV, dashcam, or doorbell footage is urged to contact them.
Chief Inspector Saqib Butt, Stafford Borough local policing team commander, said: 'We understand this is a highly worrying time for our communities, and we are doing all we can to identify and apprehend the suspect. Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area before or after the assault should contact us as soon as possible. We would like to thank everyone who has provided information so far, and we will continue our house-to-house enquiries today. We will be carrying out robust proactive patrols locally throughout the day to help reassure residents that we are there for them.'
