Hospital order for random stabbing attack killer

A man who stabbed a stranger to death in the street has been given an indefinite hospital detention order after being deemed mentally unfit to stand trial.

Paul Hughes, 30, attacked Michelle Hodgkinson on Edge Lane in Droylsden, Tameside, at about 12:00 BST on 2 June 2023, Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said Hughes bought four kitchen knives from a shop before getting the tram to Droylsden and attacking his 51-year-old victim, who died at the scene.

The force said Hughes, who had been suffering a schizophrenic episode at the time, had "carefully planned" the attack.

Police said CCTV revealed that, after getting off the tram, Hughes opened the packet of knives.

After disposing of three of them, police said he "lay in wait for someone to walk past him".

Officers said Hughes then followed and attacked Ms Hodgkinson from behind as she walked past on her way to meet her mother.

Passers by and the emergency services battled in vain to save her.

Det Ch Insp Danny Lee said: "Michelle's death has left a void in her family, and nothing will fix the pain they are feeling.

"I hope that they can gain some form of closure and justice from the sentence passed today."

He added: "I'd like to thank the members of the public who rushed to Michelle's side and the first responders - paramedics and response police officers - who also attended the scene to give CPR in an attempt to give her the best possible chance of life."

In a previous statement, Ms Hodgkinson's family said: "Everyone who knows Michelle are still in utter shock at the attack she endured and how horrific her last moments were.

"Words cannot describe how much she will be missed. Our biggest cheerleader, our confidant, our rock – she will never be forgotten."

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