Teen Gets 15 Years for Stabbing Teachers in School Attack

A 14-year-old girl has been sentenced to 15 years in detention after stabbing two teachers and a pupil at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, Carmarthenshire, last April. ⚖️

The teenager, who cannot be named due to her age, will serve at least half the sentence in custody after being found guilty of attempted murder at Swansea Crown Court in February.

The court heard she had brought her father’s multi-tool knife to school and attacked teacher Fiona Elias while repeatedly saying “I’m going to kill you.” Fellow teacher Liz Hopkin intervened and was also stabbed, receiving injuries to her neck, back, legs and arms.

The girl then ran at a 14-year-old pupil with the knife, shouting the same threat before stabbing her in the upper arm. She was restrained by teacher Darrel Campbell until later arrested.

In court, Ms Elias said: “The image is etched in my mind, it’s a moment that replays itself over and over. The scars on my arms are a daily reminder of the pain I endured. She tried to murder me.”

Addressing the attacker directly, Ms Elias stated: “Your motive was clear, you tried to murder me. Thankfully, thanks to Liz’s selfless actions, you didn’t manage to finish what you started. You have put me, my family and the entire school though hell.”

Ms Hopkin also addressed the teenager: “I was fighting for my life in a place where I should have felt safe. Although this has been the worst experience of my life, I’m glad it was me that was there that day. I’m glad I stopped you from killing [Fiona Elias]. I truly believe I saved you both that day. You are not a murderer.”

Judge Paul Thomas said the girl had not shown remorse and had attacked for attention: “In my view, you wanted as many of your fellow pupils as possibly to see what you intended to do. I believe that what you did that day, you did above all, for attention.”

The teenager will be almost 30 when her licence period ends.