A 16-year-old boy has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder following a stabbing at a high school in Norfolk, where a 15-year-old girl was attacked with a carving knife in a school bathroom.
Incident at Thorpe St Andrew High School
Police were called to Thorpe St Andrew High School, near Norwich, on Wednesday, March 11, after the girl was stabbed in the back with a carving knife in the school's bathrooms. The incident occurred at approximately 10:20 am, prompting an immediate lockdown of the school. Armed police arrived at the scene, and classrooms were placed on lockdown, with some students hiding under desks.
The suspect, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared via video link at Norwich Crown Court. He pleaded guilty to possession of a kitchen knife without lawful authority but denied attempted murder. The court heard that a search of his home indicated he was "looking for specific victims."
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Following the attack, the boy is believed to have jumped over the school fence at the south site entrance in Laundry Lane. Police pursued him, and he was taken into custody. He was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. The boy has been remanded in custody at a youth detention centre, with a trial scheduled to take place at the same court in October. He will remain detained until a further case management hearing on September 1.
The victim was taken to hospital for treatment of her injuries and has since been discharged. The school and nearby Laundry Lane were cordoned off while police conducted an investigation.
School and Community Response
Owen Jenkins, CEO of Broad Horizons Education Trust, which runs the school, said: "We have clear procedures in place and our staff acted swiftly, with the whole school going into lockdown with children staying in their classroom with their teacher. One of our students was injured and is now being treated in hospital for minor injuries. This has obviously been a distressing experience for our whole community and our focus now is on making sure all students feel supported as we begin to understand what happened."
The incident has shocked the local community, and authorities have emphasized the importance of school safety. The trial is expected to provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the attack.
