The trial of a 14-year-old girl accused of attempted murder after stabbing two teachers and a fellow pupil at a school in South Wales has collapsed, resulting in the discharge of the jury. The incident took place at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, also known as Amman Valley School, in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, on April 24. The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted to wounding with intent but denied attempted murder. The trial at Swansea Crown Court was halted due to “irregularities” that compromised the proceedings, as stated by Judge Paul Thomas KC.
The jury’s discharge means the girl will face a new trial scheduled for January 27. She faces seven charges, including three counts of attempted murder, three of wounding with intent, and one of possessing a bladed article on school premises. The attack occurred during morning break, prompting a lockdown at the school. Teachers Fiona Elias and Liz Hopkin, along with another pupil, were injured but subsequently discharged from the hospital.
During the trial, the court heard that the girl used her father’s multitool in the attack. Footage presented showed her attacking the teachers and another pupil before being restrained by staff. Despite the violent acts, all three victims survived. Ms Hopkin, who suffered stab wounds to the neck, had to be airlifted for treatment. The girl told police she didn’t intend to kill anyone and expressed remorse for her actions. She described feeling guilty and expressed a wish to undo what had happened.
The girl’s father testified that she had been bullied at school and carried a knife due to fear of being bullied. The court learned that she had a history of self-harm and struggled with bullying. The girl’s defence emphasised her lack of intent to kill anyone during the incident. She described the events as somewhat of a blur and expressed deep regret for her actions. The trial highlighted the girl’s troubled past and the challenging circumstances she faced leading up to the incident.
Despite the discharge of the jury, the case has brought attention to issues of bullying, self-harm, and school safety. The new trial early next year will likely delve deeper into the girl’s motivations and mental state at the time of the attack. The outcome of the future proceedings will determine the course of justice for the girl and how her actions will be adjudicated.