The trial of a 14-year-old girl accused of stabbing two teachers and a pupil at a school in South Wales has collapsed after the jury was discharged due to a 'great irregularity'. Judge Paul Thomas KC discharged the jury at Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday, stating that the irregularity had 'irretrievably compromised' the ability to consider the case.
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admits wounding with intent but denies three counts of attempted murder. The incident occurred at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, on April 24. A new trial has been set for January 27.
The court heard that the girl, who was 13 at the time, attacked teachers Fiona Elias and Liz Hopkin using her father's multitool before stabbing another pupil. All three victims survived, but Ms Hopkin, who was stabbed in the neck, required treatment at a specialist unit. The girl told police after her arrest that she did not mean to kill anyone.
During the trial, the girl gave evidence saying she felt 'terrible' and 'guilty' about what happened, describing the events as a blur. She said she had carried knives to school since primary school for self-harm and because she feared bullying. The girl's father testified that she had been bullied and that someone had attempted to break into their home.
