A 10-year-old boy was stabbed in the neck in a seemingly random street attack last Saturday whilst out with his mother and brother in Leicester.
Following an appeal by Leicestershire Police, in which they circulated a CCTV image of the suspect, a 32-year-old man, believed to be a serial slasher active in the city, was arrested on Monday on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the attack .
A Leicestershire Police statement said: "The incident happened at 5.20pm on Saturday (January 18) when the boy was approached by a man who stabbed him before running off from the scene. The boy was treated in hospital and has now been discharged."
Kalpesh Mistry, 39, the boy’s father, was in India at the time of the attack and ended up watching him bleeding after the boy’s older brother FaceTimed him from his mobile and, as any parent would, immediately booked a flight home to be with his family.
Speaking to Leicester Live Mr Mistry said: "I saw my wife holding my son''s neck to try and stop the blood coming out. I was so angry and frustrated because I was so far away and unable to help."
Mr Mistry went on to say that the whole family had been in India recently for a holiday and whilst his wife and children came home early he stayed back for a few extra days. He said that his son was in “good spirits” and recovering from the attack at home.
Police officers who are investigating the attack have linked it to two similar incidents in the area which all took place during the past week.
The incidents involved a woman in her 30s who suffered a cut to the back of her head and a man in his 70s who was found with wounds to his head and hands. Both victims have since been treated in hospital and discharged.
Detective Inspector Tim Lindley of Leicestershire Police, who is leading the investigation commented: "While I would like to thank everyone who has shared our appeal and has already made contact with police, I am still appealing to anyone with any information to come forward.”
