‘Coward’ stabs care home worker as she makes breakfast for residents

Christine Pygott, 67, struggled with intruder after he burst in to the kitchen at the Beeches care home on Ferrybridge Road, Castleford, at around 6.30am on Saturday.

Speaking at a press conference at Normanton Police Station this morning, Mrs Pygott said she was making porridge when she heard a scratching noise at the kitchen door.

She opened it and a man burst in and pushed her to he ground and lunged at her, before six care home staff rushed in to the room.

The intruder was kicking Mrs Pygott, who grabbed his trouser leg and shouted to other members of staff to grab hold of him.

Grandmother-of-six Mrs Pygott said: “He turned again and lunged back down at me. As he came down I put my arm up and it wasn’t until I moved my arm and he turned to flee out of the door I noticed the blade and I just screamed, he’s stabbed me, he’s stabbed me.”

She was taken to hospital where she underwent an exploratory operation to assess damage done before the deep wound her arm was stitched up.

Mrs Pygott added;, “He is a coward. It’s bad enough when they do it to other people, but a nursing home for old people?”

Mrs Pygott said she wants to return to work as soon as possible.

Supt Nick Wallen of West Yorkshire Police, said: “This was a particularly nasty assault. It would appear that the injury Mrs Pygott has suffered is an injury she has sustained while defending herself.

“This could have been significantly worse. The person responsible for causing that injury poses a great danger to people.”

Police investigating an attack fear two men may be targeting the homes of elderly and vulnerable people in the town

Detectives have released details of another incident 20 minutes earlier at nearby residential care home Breadalbane on Park Avenue, Castleford.

At around 6.15am on Saturday a member of staff at the Breadalbane confronted the two men in the property’s grounds and the men made excuses before leaving the area.

Det Supt Wallen said: “Due to both properties being care homes and their vicinity to one another, we are linking these incidents.

“It is particularly concerning that these men appear to be targeting the homes of elderly and vulnerable people and their motives for doing this are currently unclear.

“We are treating these incidents extremely seriously. We have put on additional patrols in the area and are working tirelessly to identify anyone involved in this and that includes putting this e-fit out. Hopefully someone, somewhere recognises him.

“Our officers have been making other residential homes in the area aware of these incidents and we would ask people to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to us.

“Anyone who believes they have seen these suspects or who has any information about their identities is asked to call Wakefield District CID on 101 or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency situation please call 999.”

Two men aged 25 and 28 who were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of assault in connection with the attack at The Beeches have since been released on police bail.

Police are continuing to appeal for information about the attack at the home on Ferrybridge Road.