A six-year-old boy has pleaded not guilty after a 15-year-old girl was stabbed in the back with a carving knife in a school toilet in Norfolk. The incident occurred at Thorpe St Andrew High School near Norwich on March 11.
Appearing via video link at Norwich Crown Court, the boy pleaded guilty to possessing a kitchen knife without lawful authority but not guilty to the stabbing. He has been remanded in custody at a youth detention centre, with a trial scheduled for October.
Police were called to the school at 10:20am after the girl was attacked. Armed officers swarmed the site, and classrooms were placed on lockdown, with some students hiding under desks. The school and nearby Laundry Lane were cordoned off for investigation.
The girl was taken to hospital for treatment and has since been discharged. The suspect is believed to have jumped over the school fence after the attack before being arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Owen Jenkins, CEO of Broad Horizons Education Trust, which runs the school, said staff acted swiftly, implementing lockdown procedures. He described the incident as distressing for the community and emphasised support for students.
The court previously heard that a search of the boy's home indicated he was 'looking for specific victims'. He will remain in custody until a case management hearing on September 1.
