Counter-terror police charge man with attempted murder over Cheltenham stabbing

Counter-terrorism police have charged a man with attempted murder following the stabbing of a woman outside a leisure centre in Cheltenham.

The incident took place at about 9.15pm in Tommy Taylors Lane last Thursday.

Joshua Bowles, 29, is also charged with causing actual bodily harm and will appear at Westminster magistrates court in central London on Thursday.

Nick Price, head of the CPS special crime and counter-terrorism division, said: “The CPS has authorised Gloucestershire police to charge Joshua Bowles with attempted murder.

“This charge is in relation to a woman who was stabbed outside a leisure centre in Cheltenham on Thursday 9 March.”

He added: “The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Bowles are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.”

Police said the woman sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment, where she remains in a stable condition.

Det Ch Supt Olly Wright, head of Counter Terrorism Policing South East, said: “We would encourage people not to speculate on the specific circumstances surrounding this incident.

“We believe this was an isolated incident and there is no information to suggest any wider threat to the local community. We must now let the judicial process take place.”