Man given life sentence for stabbing a probation officer in Preston

A man who stabbed a probation officer in Preston, inflicting serious injuries on her, has been given a life sentence.

Ryan Gee, 35, used a large kitchen knife to attack the officer at Preston Probation office, The Pavilions, Ashton-on-Ribble.

Gee (pictured) had gone to the probation offices on the afternoon of 22nd July last year for an appointment with probation staff as he was on supervision after a previous sentence.

He was taken into a room for a meeting with two staff – the victim who is a woman in her 30s – and a male probation officer who was Gee’s accommodation and support officer.

Gee was described as angry and having a different demeanour than in previous dealings with probation staff.

During the meeting he reached inside his rucksack and pulled out a large knife and a black replica handgun, using a swinging motion to stab the probation officer in the shoulder area and again under her armpit.

Both probation officers ran from the room, with Gee initially chasing the male probation officer before turning to follow the injured woman to the reception desk area.

There he stabbed her again, this time in the stomach, and despite her injuries she bravely managed to leave reception and other staff took her to safety.

Gee, meanwhile, stayed in reception and locked himself in with the female receptionist.

He held the replica handgun towards the receptionist’s head, saying he wasn’t going to harm her.

Throughout this time, Gee was still holding the knife which he had used to stab the probation officer.

A 999 call was made to police and within a matter of minutes, officers – some of them armed – arrived at the Pavilions.

Gee was heard to say ‘You’re going to have to shoot me’ before he was tasered, detained and arrested in the reception area.

One of our response officers gave the victim advanced first-aid treatment before she was taken to hospital.

Doctors made the decision to take her straight to the operating theatre due to the severity of the stab injury to her abdomen.

Gee pleaded guilty at a previous hearing at Liverpool Crown Court to attempted murder, false imprisonment, possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, two offences of possession of a bladed article and threatening a person with an offensive weapon.

Returning to the same court today (Monday 12th January) for sentence, Gee was given a life sentence and will have to serve a minimum of 15 years and 193 days before he can apply for parole.

If he is granted parole, Gee would be on licence for the rest of his life.

Detective Inspector Manny Acheampong of Preston CID, said: “This was a vicious knife attack on a probation officer while she was doing her job.

“She was entitled to feel safe in her work environment, but Ryan Gee chose to arm himself with a kitchen knife and an imitation firearm when attending a meeting at the probation offices and launch the attack.

“My thoughts continue to be with the victim as she recovers physically and mentally from this horrific assault.

“I want to praise the actions of our officers who arrived at the probation office within a few minutes of the 999 call being made.

“They quickly arrested Gee to make the scene safe and gave vital first-aid treatment to the victim.”