An adolescent student has been cleared of attempted murder charges after assaulting a teacher by stabbing her in the head.
The 16-year-old, whose identity is protected by law, was convicted of intentionally causing injury to Vicki Williams at Milford Haven Comprehensive School in Pembrokeshire in February.
During the trial at Swansea Crown Court, it was revealed that the student, aged 15 at the time, stabbed the teacher while she was reviewing his schoolwork.
The defendant claimed that Mrs. Williams noticed the knife in his possession and attempted to take it, resulting in an unintended injury during their struggle.
After deliberation, the jury found the student guilty of causing severe bodily harm with intent but acquitted him of attempted murder.
Testimony revealed that the student approached Mrs. Williams’ desk on the day of the incident, asking for her assistance with his work. Concern arose when he closed the classroom door, citing the cold weather.
Subsequently, the student produced a large kitchen knife, striking the teacher in the head, leading to a violent confrontation as Mrs. Williams tried to disarm him before he fled the school.
Following the attack, Mrs. Williams sought medical treatment for a scalp wound, back scratches, and minor hand cuts.
The defense argued that the student brought the knife to school to impress his peers and denied any preexisting conflict with Mrs. Williams.
CCTV footage captured the student leaving the school grounds and confessing to his grandmother about the incident.
The prosecutor contended that the student planned the attack on Mrs. Williams, citing her vulnerability as a sole female teacher in the classroom during the assault.
Mrs. Williams recounted feeling that her life was endangered during the assault, which the prosecution labeled as a sustained attack only halted when the teacher disarmed the student.
The jury rendered a majority decision of 11 to 1 to convict the student of causing severe harm with intent after approximately four hours of deliberation.
Sentencing for the case is scheduled for September 3 at Swansea Crown Court.