Teenager Denies Attempted Murder of Teacher
A 16-year-old boy has denied charges of attempted murder following an attack on a teacher at Milford Haven Comprehensive School in Pembrokeshire.
The court heard that the teenager's face showed "pure hatred" as he attacked history teacher Vicki Williams with a large kitchen knife after following her into an empty classroom on 5 February.
Ms. Williams sustained injuries to her head, back, and hands during the incident. The boy, whose identity is protected due to his age, denies attempted murder, wounding with intent, and unlawful wounding, but has admitted to possessing a knife.
Details of the Attack Presented at Swansea Crown Court
On the first day of the trial at Swansea Crown Court, the jury was told that the boy approached Ms. Williams' classroom at the end of the school day seeking assistance with his history work.
Christopher Rees KC, prosecuting, informed the jury that the boy closed the classroom door behind him—a fact confirmed by CCTV footage—and was holding onto his bag.
The prosecution described how the teenager searched through his bag while asking Ms. Williams about his work before suddenly "launched" at her with the knife, stabbing her in the head.
"She grabbed it, but he was trying to use it again,"
Rees said.
He further explained that the boy pushed Ms. Williams back into her chair, prompting her to raise her legs and scream for help.
The court also heard that during the attack, Ms. Williams thought,
"I hope that's not a knife because I'm dead".
Teacher Describes Attack and Aftermath
Ms. Williams described the expression on the boy's face as "pure hatred," adding that she "had never seen anything like it." She fought back by holding his arm and the knife to defend herself.
CCTV footage shown to the jury depicted the boy running out of the classroom approximately two minutes after the attack, with Ms. Williams exiting shortly after, holding the knife in her hand.
A colleague who responded to the scene described Ms. Williams' screams as "gut-wrenching." Emergency services were called, the school was temporarily locked down, and it was closed the following day.
Ms. Williams suffered multiple injuries, including a 7cm (2.8 in) wound to her lower back, and was transported to Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest for treatment.
The boy was subsequently arrested at his grandmother's residence.
Prosecution and Defence Arguments
Christopher Rees stated that the prosecution's case is that the attack was "a deliberate act to kill," while the defence intends to argue that the incident was accidental.
