Lancashire stabbing: Social care worker named

The Lancashire social care worker who died after being stabbed yesterday has been named as Philip Ellison.

Ellison, 47, who was married with three sons, was a social care worker in adult care. It is believed he was making a routine visit to a service user at a residential care home for adults with mental health issues managed by Lancashire social services.

Lancashire police said they were called to the house at Glebe Close, Fulwood, Preston yesterday morning where they discovered Ellison’s body inside. He had suffered a number of stab wounds and died at the premises. 

Police found a 51-year-old man in an “agitated state” and arrested him on suspicion of murder yesterday. He was later detained under Section 2 of the Mental Health Act following a psychiatric assessment.

Police said today the man would initially be detained in a secure unit for 28 days and reassessed to determine whether he is fit to be interviewed by police. If not a further order will be made for 6 months.

A post mortem examination on Ellison’s body was due to be carried out this morning.

Lancashire County Council said they would hold an internal investigation alongside health partners Lancashire Care NHS Trust.

A Unison spokesman said: “Unison wishes to express its deepest sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of the Lancashire County Council care worker who was stabbed to death whilst visiting a house in Preston.  His death is a tragedy and illustrates the dangers of this type of job.”