Menu
22/11/2005
Abigail suspect ‘would have faced charges’
The prime suspect in the stabbing of Abigail Witchalls would have faced criminal charges, if he had not died shortly after the attack, it has been announced.
The Crown Prosecution Service said that Surrey Police’s investigation into the attack on the 26-year-old had revealed evidence against Richard Cazaly that “would have been sufficient to commence a prosecution”.
Detective Superintendent Adrian Harper from Surrey Police said: “The investigation is concluded and all the available evidence points to Richard Cazaly being the offender.”
However, the CPS stressed that the decision did not mean that Mr Cazaly was definitely guilty of the attack on Abigail.
Mrs Witchalls was stabbed in the neck as she walked with her young son, Joseph, in Little Bookham, Surrey on April 20.
Mr Cazaly, 23, died in Edinburgh, ten days after the attack. He had apparently taken an overdose of painkillers.
Mr Cazaly resembled the suspect description that Abigail provided. However, she failed to identify him from a photo identity parade.
Abigail was left paralysed after the attack, but began to improve as she was being treated at a specialist centre for spinal injuries in London.
She was allowed to return home at the beginning of November, after receiving six months of treatment.
Abigail, who was in the early stages of pregnancy at the time of the attack, gave birth to her second child on November 11.
(KMcA/SP)
The Crown Prosecution Service said that Surrey Police’s investigation into the attack on the 26-year-old had revealed evidence against Richard Cazaly that “would have been sufficient to commence a prosecution”.
Detective Superintendent Adrian Harper from Surrey Police said: “The investigation is concluded and all the available evidence points to Richard Cazaly being the offender.”
However, the CPS stressed that the decision did not mean that Mr Cazaly was definitely guilty of the attack on Abigail.
Mrs Witchalls was stabbed in the neck as she walked with her young son, Joseph, in Little Bookham, Surrey on April 20.
Mr Cazaly, 23, died in Edinburgh, ten days after the attack. He had apparently taken an overdose of painkillers.
Mr Cazaly resembled the suspect description that Abigail provided. However, she failed to identify him from a photo identity parade.
Abigail was left paralysed after the attack, but began to improve as she was being treated at a specialist centre for spinal injuries in London.
She was allowed to return home at the beginning of November, after receiving six months of treatment.
Abigail, who was in the early stages of pregnancy at the time of the attack, gave birth to her second child on November 11.
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 June 2005
New witness in Abigail stabbing case
Police have confirmed that a new witness has come forward in the investigation into the stabbing of Abigail Witchalls. The development emerged after Abigail, who is still being treated in hospital following the attack in April, had failed to pick out suspect Richard Cazaly in a photo identity parade.
New witness in Abigail stabbing case
Police have confirmed that a new witness has come forward in the investigation into the stabbing of Abigail Witchalls. The development emerged after Abigail, who is still being treated in hospital following the attack in April, had failed to pick out suspect Richard Cazaly in a photo identity parade.
23 May 2005
Abigail to view photo line-up
Police have confirmed that stab victim Abigail Witchalls will view a series of photos, including one of a suspect who killed himself several days after the attack. The 26-year-old will see pictures of 12 men, including 23-year-old Richard Cazaly.
Abigail to view photo line-up
Police have confirmed that stab victim Abigail Witchalls will view a series of photos, including one of a suspect who killed himself several days after the attack. The 26-year-old will see pictures of 12 men, including 23-year-old Richard Cazaly.
12 May 2005
Man questioned over Witchalls case takes overdose
A man questioned in relation to the stabbing of Abigail Witchalls has died from what is thought to be a drug overdose. Surrey Police confirmed that 23-year-old Richard Cazaly had died in hospital in Scotland. Mr Cazaly, a gardener who lived a short distance from where the attack occurred, had been questioned by police before he left for Scotland.
Man questioned over Witchalls case takes overdose
A man questioned in relation to the stabbing of Abigail Witchalls has died from what is thought to be a drug overdose. Surrey Police confirmed that 23-year-old Richard Cazaly had died in hospital in Scotland. Mr Cazaly, a gardener who lived a short distance from where the attack occurred, had been questioned by police before he left for Scotland.
18 May 2005
Abigail regaining some feeling in body
Stab victim Abigail Witchalls is beginning to regain some feeling in her body, it has been announced. The 26-year-old was left paralysed after she was stabbed in the neck in an attack in Little Bookham, Surrey, on April 20. She had been returning from a mother and toddlers meeting with her 21-month-old son Joseph at the time.
Abigail regaining some feeling in body
Stab victim Abigail Witchalls is beginning to regain some feeling in her body, it has been announced. The 26-year-old was left paralysed after she was stabbed in the neck in an attack in Little Bookham, Surrey, on April 20. She had been returning from a mother and toddlers meeting with her 21-month-old son Joseph at the time.
29 April 2005
Police granted more time to question Abigail suspect
Surrey police have been granted more time to question a 25-year-old man in connection with the stabbing of Abigail Witchalls last week. The man was arrested on Wednesday evening in Croydon, south London and is being held in custody at Staines police station. Police will now be able to question him until Saturday morning.
Police granted more time to question Abigail suspect
Surrey police have been granted more time to question a 25-year-old man in connection with the stabbing of Abigail Witchalls last week. The man was arrested on Wednesday evening in Croydon, south London and is being held in custody at Staines police station. Police will now be able to question him until Saturday morning.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
