Police officer is stabbed and left in serious condition after being called to home of knifeman during coronavirus lockdown
- Gwent Police Sergeant Carl Blanks, 47, was repeatedly stabbed on Thursday
- He was answering a call-out in Newport after neighbours heard a disturbance
- Mohammed Ibrahim, 33, appearedin court via video wearing a coronavirus mask
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
A police officer is in a serious condition after losing a litre and a half of blood when he was stabbed multiple times during a coronavirus call-out.
Sergeant Carl Blanks, 47, was responding to a call at a house near Newport, Wales, at 5.15am on Thursday when he was stabbed.
The house belonged to Sudan-born Mohammed Ibrahim, 33, who was found at the property.
Sergeant Blanks was stabbed several times in the abdomen before Ibrahim allegedly set fire to the house.
Sergeant Carl Blanks, 47, (pictured) was responding to a call at a house near Newport, Wales, at 5.15am on Thursday when he was repeatedly stabbed
Pictured Sergeant Leighton Healan also answered the call-out. Sgt Blanks was part of a police volunteer task force sent to the British Virgin Islands after the devastation of Hurricane Irma in 2017
Ibrahim allegedly tried to stab Sgt Healan after the fire was started and was Tasered several times during the incident.
He was overpowered by officers after climbing onto the roof of the property.
Surgeons removed two sections of Sergeant Banks’ bowel.
Gwent Police said Sergeant Blanks was in a serious but stable condition and ‘continues to improve’ at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport.
The house belonged to Sudan-born Mohammed Ibrahim, 33, who was found at the property.
Police were called by neighbours who heard a disturbance but were too afraid to investigate because of potential exposure to Covid-19
Ibrahim was overpowered by officers after climbing onto the roof of the property. He appeared by video link from a cell at Ystrad Mynach Police Station
Ibrahim appeared in court today via video link charged with attempting to murder Sergeant Blanks, attempting to wound Sergeant Leighton Healan and a charge of arson with intent to endanger life after attempting to set fire to his house with the officers inside.
He wore a coronavirus face mask throughout the ten-minute hearing.
Cardiff magistrates heard the officers Tasered Ibrahim but he recovered instantly and pulled out a knife.
District Judge Stephen Harmes denied bail and Ibrahim is due to appear before Newport Crown Court on June 22.
Police were called by neighbours who heard a disturbance but were too afraid to investigate because of potential exposure to Covid-19.
Sgt Blanks was part of a police volunteer task force sent to the British Virgin Islands after the devastation of Hurricane Irma in 2017.