Understand
Thorpe St Andrew School pupil stabbing had 'limited force', defence tells court
Overview
At King's Lynn Crown Court, the defence for a 16-year-old boy on trial for attempted murder after stabbing a teenage girl at Thorpe St Andrew School argued that the attack involved 'limited force' and could not have been intended to kill. The defendant admits possessing a kitchen knife and wounding with intent, but denies attempted murder. The defence highlighted the shallow nature of the wound, the lack of life-threatening injury, and evidence of hesitation.
Key points
- A 16-year-old boy is on trial at King's Lynn Crown Court for the attempted murder of a teenage girl at Thorpe St Andrew School on 11 March.
- The defendant denies attempted murder, though he admits possessing a kitchen knife and wounding with intent.
- Defence counsel Stephen Rose KC argued that the boy used 'limited force' and that the wound was 'slight and shallow'.
- Medical notes confirmed there were no clinical signs of significant blood loss or life-threatening injury.
- The defence pointed to the boy's hesitation during the incident and argued that the evidence does not support a settled intention to kill.