Abigail inquiry suspect released

Police said Mrs Witchalls' bravery was extraordinary

Police investigating the attempted murder of mother Abigail Witchalls have released a 25-year-old man arrested on Wednesday pending further inquiries.

Mrs Witchalls, 26, was stabbed in Little Bookham, Surrey, after a knife was held to her baby son's throat.

Magistrates had granted Surrey Police permission to hold the man, who was arrested in Croydon, south London, until Saturday morning.

If officers now want to question him again he will have to be re-arrested.

'Huge leap forward'

The "large and complex" inquiry had taken a huge leap forward in the last 48 hours, the officer leading the investigation said on Friday evening.

Det Supt Adrian Harper said: "The case presents very complex forensic issues which are being progressed as quickly as possible but which will nevertheless take some weeks to resolve even using the latest and most advanced techniques.

"It is not possible to keep this man in custody whilst we resolve these inquiries."

More than 400 calls have been received by police since a description of the attacker was released.

"We are delighted with the response from the media and public," said Mr Harper.

"A number of lines of inquiry remain active."

Mrs Witchalls' condition is said to be slowly improving and police have said she is in good spirits.

Detectives were still searching the terraced house on Friday

Officers plan to show Mrs Witchalls drawings on a laptop computer and erect a plasma screen to help them compile a clearer picture of the knifeman and of the "tatty" blue estate car she saw him driving.

Her 21-month-old son, Joseph, has acted out events and may also be interviewed.

The attacker, who left Joseph uninjured, did not try to rob Mrs Witchalls. She has used blinks and other facial signals to tell police what happened.

A spokeswoman added that the 24-hour police presence at St George's Hospital in Tooting, south London, was to reassure Mrs Witchalls and her family.

"Obviously there is a possibility, as in any other similar case, the offender might try to find her," she added.

A man, 28, and woman, 29, arrested last week, have been ruled out of the inquiry by police.