The key facts

  • A 16-year-old boy has been found guilty of the attempted murder of a 15-year-old schoolgirl, attacking her with a knife at Thorpe St Andrew school on 11 March
  • Prosecution: the teenager 'went to school not to learn but to kill'; in notes he wrote about hatred of women
  • Sentencing will take place on 18 December; the judge warned of a lengthy prison term

Jury verdict

A teenager who attacked a schoolgirl while wearing a mask and was caught on CCTV has been found guilty of attempted murder. The attack took place on Wednesday 11 March at Thorpe St Andrew school near Norwich: armed police were called at 10:24 GMT after reports that a 15-year-old girl had been stabbed in the back. The jury deliberated for almost four hours and returned a majority verdict at the end of a two-week trial at King's Lynn Crown Court. The defendant, now aged 16 and who cannot be named for legal reasons, will be sentenced on 18 December.

Course of the attack

The court heard that the teenager brought an 18cm (7in) kitchen knife to school, was dressed in black, wore a mask and had written notes about hatred of women. Cameras captured the moment of the stab to the back, after which the attacker ran away, chased by a teacher. The victim told the jury she said to the teacher: 'Sir, I've been stabbed.' In a police interview she said she was 'in a panic' and felt numbness and weakness. The girl was hospitalised with a minor injury; the school was placed in lockdown, with children hiding under desks.

Prosecution and defence case

Prosecutor Chris Paxton (KC) said the teenager 'went to school not to learn but to kill', described the victim as 'defenceless and vulnerable' and said it was only 'pure luck' that saved her from serious injury: the stab, in the prosecution's view, was an attempt to kill. In a note written before the attack, the teenager wrote: 'I really want to do this, so badly, hate waiting,' as well as: 'Motive = misanthropy, misogyny, suicide, bullying. Weapon = knife x2? Death = 2+ hopefully, many injuries hopefully.' The prosecution argued that he had a hatred of women and an 'obsessive and dangerous interest in killers and killings'. The defendant admitted possession of a kitchen knife in a public place and wounding with intent, but the prosecution continued the case on the charge of attempted murder. He did not give evidence; his defence argued that he could not have intended to kill, as he used the blade with 'limited force'.

Reaction and possible punishment

The jury heard that shortly after the attack the teenager texted his mother 'Sorry'; she told the court she was 'in complete shock'. After the verdict was returned, the judge, Mr Justice Lickey, warned the defendant: 'I am sure you understand that because of the extremely serious nature of the offence I will be obliged to consider not only a custodial sentence but one of considerable length.' The teenager nodded, replied 'yes, sir' and was taken down to the cells.

A police officer wearing black uniform and turquoise gloves takes swabs from a green school gate, which is surrounded by blue and white police tape.Image source, Shaun Whitmore/BBC
Image caption,

Police were called to Thorpe St Andrew School at 10:24 GMT that Wednesday

An armed police officer is at a doorway to a classroom. He is wearing all black clothing with a helmet and glasses. He is holding a large black gun, pointed towards the floorImage source, Contributed
Image caption,

A photo taken from within a classroom showed an armed police officer at the scene

A kitchen knife with a black handle and silver blade placed on light brown paper. The blade has bits of dirt on it. A set square is placed at the handle end of the knife.Image source, CPS
Image caption,

The kitchen knife used to stab the victim had a blade measuring 18cm (7in) and was found in a wooded area

This image, taken from beneath a desk, shows children gathered in a classroom. A chair is in the foreground and blocks part of the picture. The children's faces have been blurred.Image source, Supplied
Image caption,

Pictures shared with the BBC showed some children hiding underneath their desks in the aftermath of the attack

An armed police officer is at a doorway to a classroom. He is wearing all black clothing with a helmet and glasses. He is holding a large black gun, pointed towards the floor.An armed police officer is at a doorway to a classroom. He is wearing all black clothing with a helmet and glasses. He is holding a large black gun, pointed towards the floorA police officer wearing black uniform and turquoise gloves takes swabs from a green school gate, which is surrounded by blue and white police tape.