First pictures of Kent shopping centre stabbing victim, 23, who had her throat slit in the car park

THESE are the first pictures of the young woman whose throat was slashed in a shopping centre car park as she beeped her horn in a desperate cry for help.

Witnesses said a woman, named locally as student Molly McLaren, 23, was locked in a car and attacked as she screamed for help yesterday morning.

Miss McLaren was a Sport and Exercise for Health student at the University of Kent.

She was an animal lover who aspired to promote and advise people about health, fitness and well-being, it was revealed as tributes were left at the scene of the attack.

The Dockside Centre in Chatham, Kent, was on lockdown following the horror scenes, which reportedly ended as police arrested a man covered in blood.

Witnesses told Kent Online  they heard people shouting before a man wearing a white vest was handcuffed and put in a police car.

It has been suggested the attacker locked Miss McLaren in a Citreon C1 close to an Odeon cinema before attacking her, in what is thought to have been a domestic incident.

Police said the victim and suspect, a 25-year-old man from the Medway area, are believed to be known to each other.

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Eyewitness, Michelle Hextall, told Express.co.uk: "The woman was screaming and bibbing the horn to get attention.

"Another shopper blocked the car in so he couldn't escape. Attacker was then put into police van. Didn't appear to resist arrest."

Michelle added: "I'm a bit shaken by what I've just seen. The attacker was leaning on the bonnet of police car in front. His hands were covered in blood up to his elbows. Blood on T-shirt."

Police have confirmed that the woman suffered injuries "consistent with a stabbing and died at the scene".

Another witness posted on Facebook: "Just pulling into Dockside Chatham, 10 police cars race past with flashing lights, as I've locked the door I hear shouting and commotion.

"The next bay opposite to me there's a man covered in blood being restrained by officers."

Rosie Bell, 25, was arriving at the centre when the horrific incident unfolded.

She said: "Apparently a woman had been locked in her car by the guy.

"No-one could actually see the row that was happening because it was happening inside the car. Someone heard the woman screaming and people were running over shouting at the guy.

"He was in a bit of state so people didn't want to approach him."

Police had earlier said:  "Officers were called at 11.03am on Thursday 29 June 2017 following reports a woman had been injured.

"A man has been arrested at the scene in connection with the incident.

"Officers do not believe there to be any further threat to the public."

Police have confirmed the incident was not terror related.

Four ambulances and an air ambulance was also sent to the scene.

A green tent was set up in the area with firefighters also putting up screens as emergency services worked.

Anthony Sutton, manager of Dockside Outlet Centre, said there had been an isolated incident involving a man and a woman.

He said: "The man is in custody and we are liaising with and assisting the police to minimise disruption."

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