Trial of girl, 14, who stabbed teachers and fellow pupil collapses because of 'great irregularity' with jurors

9 October 2024, 11:18 | Updated: 9 October 2024, 11:33

Teachers Fiona Elias (L) and Liz Hopkin (R) were stabbed at the school in Wales
Teachers Fiona Elias (L) and Liz Hopkin (R) were stabbed at the school in Wales. Picture: Social media/Alamy

By Kit Heren

The jury in the Ammanford school stabbing trial has been discharged because of a "great irregularity" among the jurors that has compromised their ability to reach a verdict, the judge said.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admits wounding with intent but denies attempted murder after stabbing three people at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman - also known as Amman Valley School - in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, on April 24.

Teachers Fiona Elias and Liz Hopkin, as well as a pupil, were taken to hospital after the incident.

There will be a retrial that will begin on January 27 next year.

During the trial at Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday, Judge Paul Thomas KC discharged the jury.

Read more: Girl who stabbed teachers and pupil at Ammanford school wrote she wanted to ‘kill others’ in notebook

Read more: Teachers stabbed by pupil in Ammanford school stabbing thought they would die, court hears

Police and Forensic investigators at Amman Valley school, in Ammanford after the stabbing
Police and Forensic investigators at Amman Valley school, in Ammanford after the stabbing. Picture: Alamy

He said: "There has been a great irregularity in the jury which we all agree has irretrievably compromised our ability to consider this matter.

"With the greatest of possible reluctance, I will have to discharge this jury."

The judge said the move was regrettable.

Opening the girl's trial last week, the prosecuting lawyer told the jury that the girl described the attack on the teenager to the officers, saying: "I stabbed her, oopsies".

Fiona Elias
Fiona Elias. Picture: Social Media
Liz Hopkin
Liz Hopkin. Picture: Social media

He said the girl told police after the attack: "I'm pretty sure this is going to be on the news."So more eyes will be looking at me. That's one way to be a celebrity.

"But she also asked "are they dead" and added: "How am I going to face my family after what I've done?"

Describing how the attack unfolded, Mr Hughes said the girl, who was 13 at the time, confronted assistant head Fiona Elias in the school yard telling her: "I'm going to kill you, I'm going to f****** kill you", before launching her attack with a multi-tool that her father used for fishing.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

All Main Candidates For PM Address CBI Conference

Victim of serial abuser John Smyth says Archbishop's resignation paves way for others to be held 'accountable'

police uk light car

Three taken to hospital after car mounts pavement on busy London street near Piccadilly Circus

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned

Archbishop of Canterbury only resigned due to ‘immense pressure’, insists John Smyth abuse victim

Andrew Marr spoke to Liz Carr

'It'll be coercion on a state level': Silent Witness star argues that assisted dying bill risks people feeling there is 'no choice'

x

'He did everything right': Reporter who broke story of John Smyth's abuse defends Justin Welby following resignation

Kate Mulcahy, 37, was found dead after a fierce blaze broke out at the home in Greater Manchester

Mother of four, 37, killed in fire at £1.2m home as her four young children 'manage to escape'

A key vote on assisted dying will take place at the end of the month.

'There are different views and opinions': MP behind assisted dying bill reveals cabinet split ahead of key vote

The Queen at her first public engagement since falling ill with a chest infection.

Queen Camilla seen for the first time after missing Remembrance Sunday service due to chest infection

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned

Why has Justin Welby resigned and what happens next to the Church? All your questions answered

The trio of brazen shoplifters has been jailed

Shameless shoplifters jailed for stealing £200,000 of goods in 120 offences after being caught on CCTV

Man arrested after reports of person carrying knives outside Houses of Parliament

'Knifeman' arrested by armed police after reports of man 'carrying knives' outside Parliament

Justin Welby has resigned as Archbishop of Canterbury in the wake of abuse scandal

Read in full: Justin Welby's letter resigning as Archbishop of Canterbury

Curtis Green

Father-to-be shot dead after south London party named and pictured for first time as family pay tribute

Nottingham Panthers forward Johnson suffered a fatal neck injury in October 2023

Police issue update on man arrested over manslaughter of ice hockey player Adam Johnson

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigns following damning report into Church abuse scandal

The husband of Erin Jayne Plummer has reportedly died in a suspected self-harm incident

Husband of Australian TV star dies suddenly two years after her suicide leaving three kids orphaned