Castleford care home stab victim’s bravery recognised by police

Police & Asda present Christine Pygott, The Beeches care home worker stab victim with a christmas hamper.
Pictured L) to R) Louise Brown - Asda community colleague, Gary Danvers - Asda store manager, Christine Pygott, Inspector David Bugg, PCSO Dawn Dickinson.
p308a449 — Police & Asda present Christine Pygott, The Beeches care home worker stab victim with a christmas hamper. Pictured L) to R) Louise Brown - Asda community colleague, Gary Danvers - Asda store manager, Christine Pygott, Inspector David Bugg, PCSO Dawn Dickinson. p308a449

Grandmother-of-six Christine Pygott, 67, was working at the Beeches care home, in Castleford, when a man burst into the kitchen and stabbed her.

Police in Castleford presented Mrs Pygott with a Christmas hamper at the Ferrybridge Road home on Saturday.

Insp Dave Bugg, of Castleford neighbourhood policing team, said: “Every year we team up with Asda at Glass Houghton and present hampers to victims of crime or those who have shown bravery and I can’t think of a more worthy recipient than Christine.

West Yorkshire Police e-fit of a man they would like to speak to after a worker at a The Beeches care home, Castleford was stabbed.

“She was innocently going about her job when the incident happened and was viciously attacked for no apparent reason.”

Mrs Pygott, who has worked at the home for 19 years, was rushed to hospital and had to undergo an explanatory operation.

She said: “I really didn’t expect anything like this and I’d like to thank the police and Asda for what they have done.”

The care worker was making breakfast for the residents when she heard a noise at the back door at around 6.30am on Saturday, October 18. When she opened it she was confronted by a man who forced his way into the Ferrybridge Road care home.

He pushed her to the ground and went to punch her before six other care home staff rushed to help her. The intruder then kicked Mrs Pygott while she was on the ground and she shouted at other workers to grab hold of him. He then stabbed her in the arm.

Mrs Pygott said: “If it wasn’t for the other girls being there I would have been there on my own and I think he would have killed me.”

Detectives released an e-fit image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the incident in October but Insp Bugg said detectives are still hunting Mrs Pygott’s attacker.

Anyone with any information or who believes they have seen the suspect should contact Wakefield CID on 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.