Masked boy guilty of trying to murder schoolgirl

An armed police officer is at a doorway to a classroom. He is wearing all black clothing with a helmet and glasses. He is holding a large black gun, pointed towards the floor
at King's Lynn Crown Court

A masked teenager who was captured on CCTV stabbing a girl at his school has been found guilty of attempted murder.

Armed police were called to Thorpe St Andrew School, near Norwich, on Wednesday 11 March following reports a 15-year-old had been stabbed in the back.

Her attacker brought a knife to school, was dressed in black, was wearing a face mask and had written notes saying he hated women, the trial at King's Lynn Crown Court heard.

The defendant, who is 16 and cannot be named for legal reasons, will be sentenced on 18 December.

Jurors deliberated for three hours and 54 minutes before delivering a majority verdict in the two-week trial.

The teenager "went to school not to learn, but to kill" while armed with a kitchen knife, the prosecution said.

A police officer wearing black uniform and turquoise gloves takes swabs from a green school gate, which is surrounded by blue and white police tape.

CCTV footage captured the moment the girl was stabbed in the back, before her attacker ran off while "pursued by a teacher".

The victim described to the jury how, in the aftermath of the attack, she had told a teacher "Sir, I've been stabbed".

In a police interview played to the court, the girl said she was in "panic mode" and felt numb and weak.

Chris Paxton KC, prosecuting, said it was "sheer good fortune" the "defenceless and vulnerable" pupil was not seriously hurt.

"This was a knife strike delivered, we the prosecution say, as an attempt to kill," he added.

The boy, who was 15 at the time, had previously pleaded guilty to possessing a kitchen knife without lawful authority and wounding with intent.

He messaged his mother to say "I'm sorry" shortly after the attack, jurors heard.

"I was in complete shock," she told the court.

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Original source Masked boy guilty of trying to murder schoolgirl

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