Man admits to 'premeditated' double stabbing

Ellis Coulson was due to stand trial but pleaded guilty to the charges on the opening day of proceedings

A man has admitted stabbing two people in the neck at a Leicestershire petrol station forecourt.

Ellis Coulson, 21, pleaded guilty to two counts of wounding with intent at the BP Service Station in St Thomas Road, South Wigston.

Leicestershire Police said it received a report that two men had suffered stab wounds at about 23:25 GMT on 3 November.

Coulson handed himself in about two weeks later after officers identified him using CCTV footage and he pleaded guilty to the offences at Leicester Crown Court on Monday.

Both men left the scene after they were stabbed and drove to hospital where they were treated for their injuries before being discharged.

Police said the two victims had driven on to the forecourt to buy some items from the shop, but as they approached they spoke to Coulson, who was already at the kiosk.

Coulson was then seen taking the knife out of his pocket, which he hid behind his back while continuing to talk to the victims, the force added.

He went on to stab both men in the neck, one after the other, and was initially charged with attempted murder.

Coulson, of Wright's Place in South Wigston, also pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article in a public place and is due to be sentenced on 22 November.

Det Con Owen Bird said: “Coulson’s actions that evening made it clear that this attack was premediated – he was in a possession of a knife, and he intended to use it.

“This incident could have quite easily led to life-changing injuries or even the loss of life.

“Coulson knew exactly what he was doing and following the incident he attempted to evade the police for several days."