A masked teenager captured on CCTV footage stabbing a schoolgirl has been convicted of attempted murder following a trial at King's Lynn Crown Court. The 16-year-old defendant, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, will face sentencing on 18 December.
According to BBC News, the attack occurred at Thorpe St Andrew School near Norwich on 11 March, when a 15-year-old girl was stabbed in the back. Emergency services responded after school staff reported the incident.
The trial revealed that the attacker arrived at school armed with a knife, wore entirely black clothing and a face mask, and had written notes expressing hatred towards women. Jurors took three hours and 54 minutes to reach a majority verdict finding him guilty of the serious charge.
This case follows earlier court proceedings where the defendant initially denied the attempted murder charge but admitted to carrying a knife. The victim had described her immediate response to the attack, running to a teacher to report what had happened.
The conviction comes amid a broader pattern of knife-related incidents in schools. In a separate case at Milford Haven Comprehensive School in Pembrokeshire, a 16-year-old pupil was cleared of attempted murder after stabbing teacher Vicki Williams but was convicted of wounding with intent and unlawful wounding. That defendant had claimed he brought the knife as part of a game to display household items to friends.
What happens next?
The Norfolk teenager will return to King's Lynn Crown Court on 18 December for sentencing, where the judge will determine the appropriate penalty for the attempted murder conviction.
