Teenage boy guilty of trying to murder girl, 15, in school

A masked teenager who was captured on CCTV stabbing a girl at his school has been found guilty of attempted murder.

Armed police were called to Thorpe St Andrew School, near Norwich, on Wednesday 11 March following reports a 15-year-old had been stabbed in the back.

Her attacker brought a knife to school, was dressed in black, was wearing a face mask and had written notes saying he hated women, the trial at King's Lynn Crown Court heard.

The defendant, who is 16 and cannot be named for legal reasons, will be sentenced on 18 December.

Jurors deliberated for just under four hours before delivering a majority verdict at the end of a trial which began two weeks ago.

The teenager "went to school not to learn, but to kill" while armed with a kitchen knife, the prosecution said.

The school went into lockdown after the attack and there was an armed police response, while the girl was taken to hospital with a minor injury.

CCTV footage captured the moment the girl was stabbed in the back, before her attacker ran off while "pursued by a teacher".

The victim described to the jury how, in the aftermath of the attack, she had told a teacher "Sir, I've been stabbed".

In a police interview played to the court, the girl said she was in "panic mode" and felt numb and weak.

Chris Paxton KC, prosecuting, said it was "sheer good fortune" the "defenceless and vulnerable" pupil was not seriously hurt.

"This was a knife strike delivered, we the prosecution say, as an attempt to kill," he added.

He messaged his mother to say "I'm sorry" shortly after the attack, jurors heard.

"I was in complete shock," she told the court.

Having been found guilty, the judge Mr Justice Lickey warned the boy: "I'm sure you understand because of the very serious nature of the offence I will have to consider not only a custodial sentence, but one of some considerable length."

He nodded and replied "yes sir" before being led to the cells.