Teenager found guilty of attempted murder over Norfolk school stabbing

Jury returns attempted-murder verdict

A jury at King’s Lynn Crown Court found a 16-year-old boy guilty of attempting to murder a 15-year-old girl who was stabbed at Thorpe St Andrew School in Norfolk on 11 March. The verdict followed three hours and 54 minutes of deliberation.

The defendant had denied attempted murder but admitted wounding with intent and possessing a knife at school. He was 15 at the time of the attack and is now 16; he cannot be named for legal reasons.

Evidence heard during the trial

The prosecution told the jury that the boy went to the school carrying a kitchen knife and stabbed the girl in the back. The school went into lockdown and armed police attended; the girl was taken to hospital and later discharged.

The prosecutor said police found a handwritten list headed “Victims?” and notes in which the defendant described plans involving the school. The prosecution also referred to videos featuring fictional serial killers. These were presented as evidence in the trial, not as independent proof of motive.

The girl told the court she initially thought she had been punched and did not realise she had been stabbed. She said she felt numb and weak before reaching a classroom and telling a teacher, “Sir, I’ve been stabbed”. The prosecutor described her not being more seriously hurt as “sheer good fortune”.

Sentencing adjourned

Mr Justice Lickley adjourned the case for a report about the defendant, asking that it address dangerousness. The judge said he would consider whether to impose a custodial sentence and told the defendant that sentencing would take place on 18 December at King’s Lynn Crown Court.

The defendant was remanded in custody until sentencing.