A teacher who was allegedly stabbed in the head by a 15-year-old pupil has told a court she feared she was dying and relives the attack every day. Vicki Williams, a teacher at Milford Haven Comprehensive School in Pembrokeshire, Wales, gave evidence on the second day of the trial at Swansea Crown Court.
Attack in empty classroom
The court heard that on February 5, Ms Williams entered a classroom to collect charts for a colleague when the defendant, now 16, followed her and allegedly launched a "murderous attack." Prosecutor Christopher Rees KC said the boy had brought a "large kitchen knife" in his schoolbag and planned the attack. Ms Williams testified that the boy had a look of "pure hatred" as he rummaged in his bag, withdrew the knife, and lunged at her.
Ms Williams said she shouted for help and struggled with the boy, who pushed her onto a chair before fleeing. She suffered a scalp wound, scratches on her back, and minor cuts to her hands. She was treated at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest.
Defence claims accidental injury
The defendant denies attempted murder, unlawful wounding, and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. His barrister, Matthew Roberts KC, argued that Ms Williams was accidentally injured during a scuffle after she tried to confiscate the knife. Ms Williams rejected this account, stating, "Absolutely not."
Mr Roberts questioned why Ms Williams did not lock the classroom door after the boy left. She replied, "Because I know I've been stabbed in the head, I'm fearful that I'm dying. All I'm thinking at that point is, I need help."
School safeguarding lead's testimony
Catherine Wilcox, the school's safeguarding lead, described Ms Williams's appearance after the attack: "She looked horrific, her skin was the colour of a dead body... Her hair was wild, absolutely all over the place."
The trial continues.
