Spice Girl visit for stab victim

Jessica is critically ill in hospital

Spice Girl Geri Halliwell has been to visit stabbed Lancashire schoolgirl Jessica Knight in hospital.

The 14-year-old was attacked as she walked through Astley Park, Chorley, on Monday evening.

Halliwell, who is currently on tour with the Spice Girls, visited Jessica in the Manchester Children's Hospital in Pendlebury on Friday.

Jessica's father Richard said the family were "delighted" by the visit as Jessica is a "big" Spice Girls fan.

A 21-year-old man has been charged with the attempted murder of Jessica.

Halliwell visited Jessica in the hospital's intensive care unit and chatted to her for 30 minutes, a police spokesman said.

The Spice Girls are playing their last UK tour date in Manchester on Saturday.

Geri Halliwell spent 30 minutes chatting to Jessica

Jessica is critically ill and sedated, but her parents said she had responded to the visit.

Mr Knight said: "We were delighted when Geri agreed to come and visit Jessica and she was really generous with her time.

"Although Jess is unable to speak at the moment you could tell she was really excited as she kept moving her arms and her legs as Geri was talking to her.

"She is a big Spice Girls fan and I'm sure this will help her on her road to recovery."

French national Kristofer Beddar, 21, of Daisy Hill Drive, Adlington, Chorley, had appeared in court charged with Jessica's attempted murder.

He was remanded in custody by Chorley magistrates until 4 February, when he is to appear at Preston Crown Court for a preliminary hearing.

Lancashire police want people to come forward with information which may help their investigation.