A CHAMPION athlete and Aberystwyth University research assistant has appeared in court charged with attempted murder after­ a man was stabbed at an athletics stadium in Birmingham.

Lauren Jeska of Wesley Terrace, Machynlleth, is on remand at HMP Styal in Cheshire charged with the attempted murder of a 51-year-old, Ralph Knibbs, and wounding two other men, Tim Begley and Kevin Taylor, with intent.

All three men work for UK Athletics.

Jeska, 41, (pictured) spoke only to confirm her name during a 20-minute hearing by video-link at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday and has yet to enter pleas.

Jeska, who won the British fell running championships in 2012, also faces a charge of possessing three bladed weapons: 12cm and 13cm kitchen knives, and a 30cm bread knife.

Police were called to the Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr – which has hosted a string of top-level athletics meeting – just before 10.30am on Tuesday, 22 March, after­ reports a man had been stabbed.

Judge Patrick Thomas QC remanded Jeska in custody until a further hearing at the same court on Thursday, 16 June.