On this day, in 1996, three young children and four adults were attacked by a man with a machete at an infant school. They were enjoying a teddy bears picnic at St Luke's Church of England school in the Blackenhall area. The incident happened around 3.15 p.m. and paramedics arrived on the scene within seconds. The victims were taken by West Midlands Ambulance Service to New Cross hospital where they were treated for stab wounds. Their conditions were not thought to be life threatening but some had serious head injuries.
Police were looking for a black man with a beard, in his mid-thirties, about five feet nine tall and of slim build. Police immediately named a man they wished to interview in connection with the attack.
One of the parents, Balbinder Bains, a-29-year-old courier, said, "I could see him hanging around the bushes. I thought he was a litter collector. The guy jumped over a two foot fence into the kindergarten play area and just started hacking anybody and everybody. He was completely out of control." Mr Bains and another man chased the attacker to Villiers House flats where he disappeared.
Coming just four months after the massacre of 16 pupils and one teacher at Dunblane, this incident again highlighted the issue of security in and around our schools.
After searches by riot police Horrett Irving Campbell was found in Villiers House and charged with seven counts of attempted murder. In March 1997 Campbell, 33, was found guilty and sent to a secure mental hospital for an indefinite period.
In the Queen's Birthday Honours List a year later Lisa Potts was awarded the George Medal for bravery. Suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. Miss Potts (pictured at top of page) gave up work as a nursery nurse in 1997 and began a career in the media.
Police were looking for a black man with a beard, in his mid-thirties, about five feet nine tall and of slim build. Police immediately named a man they wished to interview in connection with the attack.
One of the parents, Balbinder Bains, a-29-year-old courier, said, "I could see him hanging around the bushes. I thought he was a litter collector. The guy jumped over a two foot fence into the kindergarten play area and just started hacking anybody and everybody. He was completely out of control." Mr Bains and another man chased the attacker to Villiers House flats where he disappeared.
Coming just four months after the massacre of 16 pupils and one teacher at Dunblane, this incident again highlighted the issue of security in and around our schools.
After searches by riot police Horrett Irving Campbell was found in Villiers House and charged with seven counts of attempted murder. In March 1997 Campbell, 33, was found guilty and sent to a secure mental hospital for an indefinite period.
In the Queen's Birthday Honours List a year later Lisa Potts was awarded the George Medal for bravery. Suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. Miss Potts (pictured at top of page) gave up work as a nursery nurse in 1997 and began a career in the media.
