Man charged with attempted murder after woman stabbed outside leisure centre

15 March 2023 , 21:51

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Police vehicles outside the leisure centre in Cheltenham (Image: BPM MEDIA)

A man has been charged with attempted murder after a woman was stabbed outside a leisure centre in Cheltenham.

Joshua Bowles, 29, was arrested following the attack in Gloucestershire at around 9.15am on March 9.

Nick Price, head of the CPS special crime and counter-terrorism division, said Bowles has also been charged with causing actual bodily harm.

He will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court in central London on Thursday.

Mr Price said: "The CPS has authorised Gloucestershire police to charge Joshua Bowles with attempted murder.

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"This charge is in relation to a woman who was stabbed outside a leisure centre in Cheltenham on Thursday, March 9."

He added: "The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Bowles are active and that he has the right to a fair trial."

Police said the woman - who is thought to be an American spy - sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment, where she remains in a stable condition.

Detective Chief Superintendent Olly Wright, head of Counter-Terrorism Policing South East, said: "We would encourage people not to speculate on the specific circumstances surrounding this incident.

"We believe this was an isolated incident and there is no information to suggest any wider threat to the local community.

"We must now let the judicial process take place."

Following the incident, Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone of Gloucestershire Constabulary reassured local residents saying: "I would like to reassure those living locally or visiting the county that we believe this was an isolated incident and we are not aware of any wider threat to members of the public.

"We are working closely with our partners in Counter Terrorism Policing.

"We appreciate that an incident of this nature may be concerning and we would encourage people to contact us via 101 with any additional information they may have about the incident."

Chiara Fiorillo