HORRETT CAMPBELL'S HORRIFIC MACHETE ATTACK AT WOLVERHAMPTON'S ST LUKE'S SCHOOL

On July 8, 1996, a shocking and violent incident unfolded at St Luke's Church of England Infants' School in Wolverhampton, leaving a trail of injuries and chaos. The attack took place during a scheduled outdoor teddy bear picnic, an event organized by parents and teachers to mark the conclusion of the school term. As children and adults gathered in the schoolyard, a man described as being in his mid-30s, with a slight build, was observed loitering near the bushes prior to the assault. Witnesses later identified him as Horrett Irving Campbell, a resident of Wolverhampton.

At approximately 3 PM, the atmosphere was festive, with children playing and parents supervising. Suddenly, Campbell leapt over a fence surrounding the play area, brandishing a large machete. The scene quickly turned into a nightmare as he began attacking the children and adults with indiscriminate slashes. Despite efforts by parents and teachers to intervene and distract him, Campbell continued his assault with chilling calmness. During the attack, three children and four adults sustained injuries, most notably Lisa Potts, a 21-year-old teacher at the school. Potts was struck multiple times, suffering cuts to her head, back, and arms, with one of her arms nearly severed in the violence.

As chaos ensued, a parent managed to chase Campbell out of the immediate area, directing him towards a nearby housing estate known as Villers Flats. Law enforcement officers responded swiftly, surrounding the area and engaging in a tense standoff. Approximately two hours later, police apprehended a man who was later identified as someone other than the attacker. The following day, after an extensive search of the vicinity, authorities arrested Horrett Irving Campbell, aged 32, in connection with the brutal assault.

Campbell's background revealed troubling details. Residing in flats opposite St Luke's School, neighbors described him as unemployed, often seen working on his Volvo. He had a prior arrest for publicly displaying a machete strapped to his leg, but was not considered dangerous at that time. During his trial, psychiatrist Dr. James Collins testified that Campbell was suffering from schizophrenia, believing that the children were talking about him and that the parents had provided police with information about his whereabouts. Campbell was also under the delusion that committing this attack would help rid him of a ghost that had haunted him for years. On March 7, 1997, Judge Justice Sedley ordered Campbell to be detained in a mental hospital indefinitely. He remains hospitalized to this day.

In the aftermath of the attack, Lisa Potts underwent multiple surgeries to repair her injuries. She was awarded an initial sum of £49,000 by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel, which was later increased to £68,000 on November 10, 2001. The panel also increased the compensation awarded to each of the children from £750 to £20,000. In recognition of her bravery and quick action during the attack, Potts was awarded the George Medal by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997, acknowledging her efforts in defending the children and preventing further harm.