Police reassure villagers after drugs stabbing

May 2 2008 by Naomi Dunning, Chester Chronicle

A TEENAGER was stabbed through the neck on a rural village high street when a drugs deal went wrong.

Police are reassuring Tattenhall residents that this violent attack and drug dealing in the village is very rare.

It is alleged that Jonathan Scott, aged 19, from Northwich, was stabbed in the neck through the window of his car by a 17-year-old local man on Saturday, April 19.

Chester Youth Court heard last Thursday that the assault occurred outside the primary school, on Chester Road, Tattenhall at 4pm.

Scott and two others met the teenager in a car to exchange drugs.

DC Clare Fletcher, involved in the investigation, said: “The two had met to do a cannabis exchange.

“The victim was confronted by the offender who demanded money and drugs off him and produced a knife. When Scott refused, the 17-year-old leaned through the window and stabbed him through the neck. It is a very serious matter, it could have been a very serious attack,” she added.

Mr Scott managed to phone an ambulance as the offender escaped. He spent two days in hospital and under- went an operation before returning home to recover.

The police arrested the attacker and recovered the knife and drugs, and are waiting to talk to another male who was also at the scene.

DC Fletcher said: “I would like to reassure residents that this kind of offence is very rare. Drug dealing and violence in the Tattenhall community is unusual. It was a one-off, and people shouldn’t be concerned. The offender was quickly caught by police, and the weapon has been recovered.”

The attacker, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will now be dealt with by the courts.

Anyone with information, or who witnessed the attack, should phone DC Fletcher on 01244 613134.