Man who tried to kill probation officer jailed

A man who attempted to murder his probation officer by stabbing her four times has been handed a life sentence.

Ryan Gee turned up to a meeting with the officer armed with two knives and an imitation firearm in July before launching his attack, which left his victim with life- threatening injuries.

The 35-year-old, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to the pre-meditated assault which happened at Preston Probation office at The Pavilions in Ashton-on-Ribble, Lancashire.

He was jailed for a minimum term of 15 years and six months at Liverpool Crown Court.

Gee also admitted possession of an imitation forearm with intent to cause fear of violence, false imprisonment, threatening another with an offensive weapon and two counts of possession of a bladed article.

The court heard he had pulled a large knife and the imitation firearm, which later was found to be a BB gun, from his backpack and lunged at the officer's upper body, stabbing her in the chest.

He then chased her into the reception area before stabbing her again.

Colleagues helped her to a different part of the building while others tried to reason with Gee.

He then threatened a member of staff in the reception area with the knife and the imitation firearm, keeping her trapped.

Gee was pacing around the reception office when police arrived a short time later and arrested him.

Officers seized a letter Gee left in the reception office, which was addressed to a different probation officer, telling her she was partly responsible for his actions.

A notebook was also recovered detailing his thoughts about the probation service.

The officer who was stabbed was taken to Royal Preston Hospital where she was treated for four stab wounds.

She was discharged from hospital some six weeks later following extensive surgeries.

In her victim impact statement read to the court, she outlined the severe psychological impact the stabbing had on her.

It said: "I play the events of that day continuously over and over in my head, on a constant loop that I cannot escape from.

"It consumes me. I find myself catastrophising every situation, constantly scanning rooms for exits in case I need to escape. What was once ordinary now feels unsafe."

Martin Hill, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "The long-lasting physical and emotional impact of Gee's attack cannot be overstated.

"My thoughts are with the victims and their families. I hope following today's sentence; they can put this horrific incident behind them and move forward with their lives."

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