Top runner Lauren Jeska charged with attempted murder of former rugby star at Alexander Stadium
A top female runner has appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of a former England rugby player at Great Barr's Alexander Stadium.
Former English fell running champion Lauren Jeska is alleged to have stabbed 51-year-old Ralph Knibbs, now head of human resources and welfare at UK Athletics, on Tuesday.
The attack is reported to have taken place in an office at the stadium, which is the headquarters of athletics' governing body.
The 41-year-old was also accused of unlawfully and maliciously wounding, with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, two other men, Tim Begley and Kevin Taylor.
She is further charged with being in possession of three bladed articles, a 12cm kitchen knife, 13cm kitchen knife and a bread knife.
Jeska, who was wearing trainers, light grey tracksuit bottoms and a navy T-shirt, appeared before District Judge Khalid Qureshi at Birmingham Magistrates Court. She spoke only to give her name, address and date of birth.
Officers were called to the Perry Barr Stadium just before 10.30am on Tuesday after reports a man had been stabbed. Mr Knibbs remains in a stable condition in hospital.
He was a professional player for Bristol Rugby and played for England Under-23s but turned down the chance to go on the 1984 England rugby union tour of South Africa because of his opposition to apartheid.
In 2007 he was named in The Sunday Times top 10 centres of all time, along with names such as Brian O'Driscoll and Simon Halliday by Bath rival Jeremy Guscott who described Knibbs as being "silky and absolutely superb."
Jeska, of Wesley Terrace, Machynlleth, in mid-Wales, was remanded in custody until April 25 to appear at Birmingham Crown Court.
