Man remanded over schoolgirl attack

12 April 2012

A French national has been remanded in custody, charged with the attempted murder of 14-year-old Jessica Knight.

Kristofer Beddar, 21, of Daisy Hill Drive, Adlington, Chorley, Lancashire, is accused of stabbing Jessica up to 30 times in a frenzied attack.

Chorley Magistrates were told that Beddar handed himself in to police after the attack in Astley Park in Astley village on Monday.

Beddar was flanked by an interpreter during the 10-minute hearing.

He spoke only to confirm his name, address, and that he understood the allegation.

Jessica was found "covered in blood" by a cyclist alerted by her screams around 5.15pm on Monday.

She remains in a critical but stable condition at Manchester Children's Hospital.

Beddar will next appear at Preston Crown Court on February 4 for a preliminary hearing.

No application for bail was made.

Police said that Beddar had been living with members of his English family. It is understood he moved to Britain in May 2007 from the south-east Paris suburb of Melun and was working as a baker in the Chorley area.

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