A 16-year-old boy has pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of history teacher Vicki Williams, who was stabbed at Milford Haven School in Pembrokeshire on February 5. The trial at Swansea Crown Court entered its fourth day on Thursday, with the jury hearing evidence from the defendant's grandmother and a forensic pathologist.
Grandmother's Testimony
The defendant's grandmother, in a written statement agreed by both prosecution and defence, described her grandson as a "really quiet boy" who had been that way since infancy. On the afternoon of the incident, she received a call from the boy's mother saying "something had happened in school." She told the court: "I felt sick to my stomach." Minutes later, her grandson arrived at her house and sat slumped on the stairs. When asked what he had done, he replied: "Something went in my head, nan." The grandmother said her grandson was crying and "had his head hung low in his hands." Police arrived approximately 10 minutes later and arrested the boy, who appeared shocked and upset.
Forensic Evidence
Forensic pathologist Dr David Rouse gave evidence regarding the injuries sustained by Mrs Williams. He described a 1cm "linear incised wound" to the top of her head, which he said was "in keeping with a stabbing action going into the head." However, he noted it is "very difficult to get a penetrating wound through the skull" due to bone thickness, especially at the vertex where the injury occurred. Injuries to Mrs Williams' back were described as "linear abrasions or scratch marks," consistent with her account of being pushed backwards. Dr Rouse also testified that cuts to her fingers and palm were "typical defensive injuries" consistent with an attempt to grab a blade. He stated: "These are at the milder end of the injuries that can be caused, but they are typical of someone who has tried to grab, to hold, a knife."
The Knife
Dr Rouse examined the kitchen knife recovered from the classroom, which had been described earlier in the trial as "massive" and more akin to a restaurant knife. He noted the tip was "distorted." Judge Paul Thomas KC asked: "It is what you would expect to find on a knife which had been stabbed into the top of a skull?" The doctor replied: "Yes, your honour." However, under cross-examination by defence barrister Matthew Roberts KC, Dr Rouse agreed that it is not possible to say when or how the damage to the knife tip occurred. He added: "All we can say is there was a stab wound to the head and it seems a reasonable conclusion to say that caused the damage, but we cannot say for sure."
Prosecution and Defence Cases
The prosecution alleges that the boy launched a deliberate and planned "murderous attack" on Mrs Williams, having brought the kitchen knife to school in his bag. He is accused of entering an empty classroom, locking the door, and lunging at the teacher. The defence contends that Mrs Williams' injuries were caused accidentally when the defendant refused to hand over the knife after being told to do so. The boy denies charges of attempted murder, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, and unlawful wounding, but admits possessing a knife on school premises.
Earlier in the trial, Mrs Williams testified that her alleged assailant had a look of "pure hatred" in his eyes and that she thought she was going to die. The trial, expected to last three weeks, continues on Friday morning.
