This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/lancashire/7771665.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Girl's attacker jailed for life Teenager's knife attacker jailed
(30 minutes later)
A man who repeatedly stabbed a girl and left her for dead in a Lancashire park has been jailed for life.A man who repeatedly stabbed a girl and left her for dead in a Lancashire park has been jailed for life.
Jessica Knight, then 14, was listening to her MP3 player when French national Kristofer Beddar, 21, knifed her about 20 times.Jessica Knight, then 14, was listening to her MP3 player when French national Kristofer Beddar, 21, knifed her about 20 times.
She underwent five hours of emergency surgery after passers-by found her in the park in Astley Village, Chorley.She underwent five hours of emergency surgery after passers-by found her in the park in Astley Village, Chorley.
Beddar was found guilty of attempted murder at Preston Crown Court and told he would serve a minimum of 12 years.Beddar was found guilty of attempted murder at Preston Crown Court and told he would serve a minimum of 12 years.
Judge Anthony Russell QC, Recorder of Preston, said: "On the 21st of January this year for no reason that can be ascertained you attacked Jessica Knight in Astley Park and left her for dead. He had admitted wounding with intent, but claimed he had no memory of attacking Jessica and no motive to kill her.
"This was a frenzied attack with a knife that you habitually carried." Beddar, of Daisy Hill Drive, Adlington, was described in court as a loner with a fiery temper who had downed half a bottle of whisky before the attack.
Psychological problems Anyone who can do what you did must be regarded as a danger to the public Judge Anthony Russell QC
Beddar, of Daisy Hill Drive, Adlington, had admitted wounding with intent, but claimed he had no memory of attacking Jessica and had no motive to kill her. He later confessed to his mother Marion, saying: "Mum, I think it must have been me." She turned him in to the police.
He was described in court as a loner with a fiery temper and had downed half a bottle of whisky before the attack. Beddar was living with members of his English family at the time of the attack.
Beddar later confessed to his mother Marion, saying: "Mum, I think it must have been me". She turned him in to the police. Judge Anthony Russell QC, Recorder of Preston, said: "This was a frenzied attack with a knife that you habitually carried."
He was living with members of his English family at the time of the attack. Mr Russell said Beddar had ruined the lives of Jessica, her family and his own mother - who had to give evidence against him during the trial
"Your intention was to kill her, no one knows why. There is no evidence of any mental illness which could explain it," the judge said.
"Anyone who can do what you did must be regarded as a danger to the public."
Jessica now suffers from long-term psychological problems
Jessica, now 15, was walking through the park to meet a friend when the stabbing happened.Jessica, now 15, was walking through the park to meet a friend when the stabbing happened.
She was knifed in the chest, neck, stomach and back. She was knifed in the chest, neck, stomach and back and has been left with "long-term physical and psychological problems", the court heard.
The court heard the teenager had been left with "long-term physical and psychological problems". Speaking after the hearing, Det Supt Steve Brunskill, who led the Lancashire Police investigation, said he initially thought Jessica would die following the "terrible attack".
He said: "When I was called to that scene that evening I believed that I would be leading a murder investigation."
The detective praised the actions of cyclist Gareth Crook, who found Jessica, Pc Andrew Sumner, one of the first officers on the scene, and medical staff for keeping her alive.
"It is not often I get to meet the victims of such horrific crimes but thankfully in this case I have been able to do so," he added.
"Jess is a lovely, giggly young girl, with great determination which must have been an influencing factor in her survival."