Boy’s face showed ‘pure hatred’ as he attacked teacher with knife, court hears
A teenager showed “pure hatred” when he attacked his teacher with a large kitchen knife after following him into an empty classroom, a court heard.
History teacher Vicki Williams suffered head, back and hands injuries after the incident at Milford Haven Comprehensive School in Pembrokeshire on February 5.
16-year-old boy, whose name cannot be released due to his age denies attempted murderintentional wounding and unlawful wounding, but admitted to possessing a knife before.
On the first day of the trial at Swansea Crown Court, the jury heard the boy went to Williams’ class at the end of the school day to ask for help with his history study.
Prosecutor Christopher Rees KC told the jury the boy closed the door behind him (which was also shown on CCTV) and grabbed his bag.
The jury heard the 16-year-old went through his bag as he asked his teacher about his job, then “pounced” on him with a knife and stabbed him in the head.
“He caught it but was trying to use it again,” Rees said.
“He pushed her back into her chair. She lifted her legs up and screamed for help.”
The court also heard that during the attack Williams thought: “I hope it’s not a knife because I’m dead.”
‘Heartbreaking’ screams
Williams described the look on the boy’s face as “pure hatred” and added that he had “never seen anything like it.”
The jury heard how the woman fought the boy, holding his arm and the knife.
They then saw CCTV footage which showed Williams leaving the room about two minutes later, knife in hand.
A colleague who came to check what was happening described Williams’ screams as “gut-wrenching”.
Police and emergency services were called and the school was temporarily quarantined and closed the next day.
Williams suffered multiple injuries, including a 7cm (2.8in) wound to his lower back, and was taken to Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest.
The boy was later arrested at his grandmother’s home.
Rees said the prosecution’s claim was that the incident was “a deliberate act aimed at killing”, while the defense would claim it was an accident.
The trial continues.
