A CHAMPION athlete who pleaded guilty to attempted murder was embroiled in a disagreement with UK Athletics when she stabbed an official at an athletics stadium in Birmingham on 22 March.

Lauren Jeska, of Wesley Terrace, Mach­ynlleth, who ran for Aberystwyth Athletics Club, drove from her home to the British Athletics headquarters at the Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr armed with a number of knives, Birmingham Crown Court heard on Thursday.

She entered their offices and asked to speak to Ralph Knibbs, a 51-year-old former rugby player who worked as the head of human resources and welfare for UK Athletics.

She was asked to wait in reception, however, Jeska walked into the open-plan office, attacked Mr Knibbs, and stabbed him in the head and neck several times.

Jeska, 41, an Aberystwyth University research assistant, pleaded guilty to attempted murder, and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm of two UK Athletics officials, Tim Begley and Kevin Taylor, who stepped in to help.

Not guilty pleas on two counts of wounding with intent were accepted.

Jeska also pleaded guilty to possessing two bladed weapons: 12cm and 13cm kitchen knives, but not guilty to possession of a 30cm bread knife.

Sean Kyne, District Crown Prosecutor from West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service, said that Jeska had a “disagreement with British Athletics officials which escalated”.

“Rather than resolve the matter through the appropriate channels, she armed herself with a number of knives, drove from her home in Wales to Birmingham and launched a premeditated and savage attack on the victim,” Mr Kyne said.

Jeska appeared via video link from HMP Foston Hall in Derbyshire at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday to give her pleas.

Julie Warburton, for the defence, said a diagnosis of autism may be raised at the next hearing, which would be invited to consider whether a “medical disposal” would be available to the sentencing judge.

UK Athletics said it was “pleased that today’s admission brings to a close a difficult period”, after the “unprovoked attack on Mr Knibbs and staff at our Alexander Stadium head office in Birmingham earlier this year.”

Jeska, a champion long-distance fell runner who has competed for the Aberystwyth running club as well as the Eryri Harriers club in north Wales, was the women’s 2010, 2011 and 2012 English Fell Running Champion and won the British Championship in 2012.

She has also been victorious in the Aberystwyth 10k race, the Ras y Gader in Dolgellau, the Ras Glyndwr, and the Twin Peaks challenge in Aberystwyth.

Jeska will be sentenced on 15 November and will remain in custody until that date.