Paramedic faces hospital car park murder charge

A paramedic is to be charged with murdering his ex-girlfriend in a hospital car park, the Crown Prosecution Service said today.

Nurse Jane Clough, 26, had just finished her shift in the Accident and Emergency unit at Blackpool Victoria Hospital on Sunday night and was walking to her car when she was stabbed by an attacker who then left the scene on a bicycle.

Jonathan Vass, 30, will appear before Blackpool Magistrates' Court tomorrow, said a CPS spokesman.

Area crown prosecutor Neil Standage said: "Having carefully examined the evidence provided to us by Lancashire Constabulary, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and that it is in the public interest to charge Jonathan Vass with the murder of Jane Clough.

"We have duly authorised Lancashire Constabulary to do so.

"He will appear at Blackpool Magistrates' Court tomorrow, where the case will be sent to Preston Crown Court to be heard at a later date."

Police were called to the scene in the staff car park at about 8.30pm and the mother-of-one was rushed to the A&E unit where she worked, just 100 yards away.

Her colleagues battled to save her but she was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

A post-mortem examination showed she died of multiple stab wounds.

Vass, 30, was arrested the following morning in his ex-partner's village of Barrowford, near Nelson, Lancashire.

It is understood Vass left his wife and the marital home in Fulwood, Preston, to move in with Miss Clough in Camden Street, Barrowford, before they too separated.

Following Miss Clough's death, her parents John and Penny, who also live in Barrowford, said: "Jane was our beautiful precious daughter, loving mother of her baby Imogen and loving sister of Peter and Louise.

"She was a fabulous girl in every sense, she was so gentle and lovely and we are absolutely heartbroken by what has happened."

Lancashire Police confirmed the paramedic had been charged with murder.

A spokeswoman said: "A 30-year-old man has this afternoon been charged with the murder of Jane Clough.

"Jonathan Vass of Conway Drive in Preston has been charged with murder. He has been remanded in custody to appear before Blackpool Magistrates' Court tomorrow morning."