A knife-wielding 14-year-old schoolgirl who launched a savage stabbing spree on two teachers and a pupil has been locked up for 15 years after a chilling trial at Swansea Crown Court.
A teenage girl who carried out a premeditated knife attack on two teachers and a fellow pupil at a Welsh secondary school has been sentenced to 15 years' detention after being convicted of three counts of attempted murder.
The 14-year-old, whose identity is protected under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, was found guilty earlier this year following a week-long trial at Swansea Crown Court. The attacks occurred during a mid-morning break at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, on 24 April 2023, in what the court was told amounted to a calculated and deliberate escalation of targeted violence.
The defendant had taken her father's fishing multi-tool, which included a locking blade, into school that day. Prosecutors said she acted with full awareness of the harm she intended to inflict. She was arrested at the scene and later charged with three counts of wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article on school premises. She pleaded guilty to those lesser charges but denied attempted murder, a claim the jury ultimately rejected.
During sentencing, His Honour Judge Paul Thomas KC noted the disturbing nature of the attack and its visibility to other pupils. He said the girl "tried to kill three people" and emphasised the serious psychological and physical impact the incident had on all involved. The judge stated:
"You did what you did in full view of many other pupils. In my judgment, you wanted as many of your fellow pupils as possible to witness what you intended to do."
He concluded that the defendant would serve half of her 15-year sentence in custody, with the remainder to be served on licence, subject to parole assessment.
The court heard that both teachers – Mrs Fiona Elias and Mrs Liz Hopkin – sustained significant injuries in the incident. Mrs Hopkin was stabbed four times and required airlifting to hospital. Mrs Elias and the pupil victim also required hospital treatment. Victim personal statements read in court described the lasting consequences of the assault, including physical scarring and continuing psychological challenges.
Judge Thomas noted that while both teachers had addressed the court with clarity, the defendant appeared detached and showed "no emotion or even interest" in their statements. He remarked that the defendant did not appear to be "genuinely sorry" for what she had done.
In mitigation, Caroline Rees KC told the court her client was a
"very complex young girl"
who had experienced a "difficult background". However, the judge gave limited weight to this argument, given the deliberate planning and nature of the attack.
After sentencing, Detective Chief Superintendent Ross Evans of Dyfed-Powys Police addressed the media, stating that although physical wounds may heal, the psychological trauma caused by the defendant’s actions would
"take considerably longer to recover from".
He added that he hoped the sentence sent a clear message that violence on school premises would be dealt with severely and without tolerance.
Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.