Police begin to take statement from Abigail

Abigail Witchalls, the young expectant mother who was stabbed in the neck in an attack last week in Little Bookham, Surrey, is beginning the process of giving a statement to police about the attack.

Police have said that the process is expected to be “very slow” and will take “some time” to complete.

Mrs Witchalls, was left paralysed by the attack, although it has been reported that she is beginning to regain some feeling. She can only communicate through facial expressions and by blinking. Her condition has now been described as stable.

Surrey police confirmed that they had received over 300 calls offering information on the case and said they were “delighted” with the response.

Detective Superintendent Adrian Harper, who is leading the investigation into the attack on Abigail said: “I am very pleased for Abigail and her family that her condition appears to be stabilising and that she is able to communicate with them and us. Members of my team are now in the process of taking a statement from Abigail about what happened. Apart from her son Joseph, Abigail is the only person who saw her attacker and the information she may be able to give us will be crucial to our investigation.”

Mrs Witchalls, 26, a part-time English teacher, was attacked while pushing her 21-month-old son Joseph in his buggy, last Wednesday afternoon. She was taken to St George’s Hospital in Tooting, South London.

A 28-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman were arrested on Friday afternoon in connection with the attack on Abigail, following an appeal for information regarding a blue Peugeot car which was seen in the area shortly before the attack. The man was questioned on suspicion of attempted murder and was released on bail on Saturday. The woman was released without charge. The car has also been seized.

The attack received widespread publicity last week, largely because it happened in what was reportedly one of the safest areas in England.

(KMcA/MB)