A Blackpool man who stabbed a Cleveleys Policeman six times has been sectioned.

In November 2016 PC Pete Lucas stopped a van travelling on Westmorland Avenue, Thornton-Cleveleys, believing missing person William Ashton to be the driver.



Mr Ashton got out of his Peugeot van and approached PC Lucas. He punched him and then produced a knife and stabbed him to the torso.

PC Lucas fell to the ground and he was again stabbed to the torso, with one wound being inflicted where the knife went beneath the officer’s stab-vest. Mr Ashton then discarded the knife and kicked PC Lucas to the head and body several times before passing members of the public intervened. Mr Ashton then made off in his van.

The van was later seen travelling towards Poulton-le-Fylde where it was stopped by road police officers. Mr Ashton attacked the RPU vehicle with a pickaxe before Taser was deployed and he was arrested.

PC Lucas, 47, received a superficial stab wound to his abdomen, a broken wrist, and bruising to his face. He has made a full recovery and returned to work on the immediate response team at Fleetwood in January 2017.

Mr Ashton has remained in a secure mental health facility since he was arrested. Psychiatrists agreed that he is not insane, but has for several years suffered from paranoid schizophrenia.

A trial was due to start today (10th July) but Mr Ashton, formerly of Briarwood Drive, Blackpool, admitted a charge of Section 18 Grievous Bodily Harm with Intent. He had earlier pleaded guilty to affray and possession of a knife.

Detective Chief Inspector Becky Smith, of Blackpool Police, said: “Pete Lucas can have had no idea of the horrific events that were to unfold that day and the fact that he has returned to work and is now fully operational is a true credit to his own resilience and commitment to his job. I must commend his courage and professionalism throughout. This incident shows the risks that officers face on a daily basis.

“I would like to pay tribute to the members of the public who came to Pete’s aid and showed tremendous bravery in the face of danger.”