A former pupil is accused of stabbing another child in the playground and spraying ant spray in the face of a third during the incident at Kingsbury High School in Brent, London
A 13-year-old boy allegedly stabbed a pupil in the neck using a kitchen knife in front of a classroom of children, a court has heard. The injured youngster suffered three stab wounds, a spinal fracture, and damage to the neck and hands severe enough to require surgery, as stated in Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
The former student is also accused of stabbing another youngster in the playground and spraying ant spray in the face of a third during the incident at Kingsbury High School in Brent on February 10. It was revealed in court that less than a minute passed between the first and second knife attacks.
Today (February 12), the teenager, who remains unnamed due to his age, appeared in court dressed in a grey prison-issue tracksuit. Two family members were seated in front of the dock, and the defendant spoke softly to confirm his name and birthdate.
He faces accusations of attempting to murder two boys aged 12 and 13, as well as the unlawful and malicious administration of a noxious substance to a third child.
Additionally, the boy is charged with possessing a knife on school premises without justification or lawful authority. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring ordered the boy’s remand into a youth detention facility, with a scheduled appearance at the Old Bailey on February 27.
Prosecutor Kathryn Selby informed the hearing that shortly after midday, the boy appeared at the classroom door carrying ant spray and the knife.
He allegedly sprayed the ant spray in a child’s face before stabbing the other boy, according to the prosecution. The court was told that several children and a teacher were present during the incident.
Ms Selby detailed how he then descended the stairs and stabbed another child in the neck in a playground area, inflicting a 3cm wound.
The prosecution stated that while the conditions of the two alleged stabbing victims are not believed to be life-threatening, it’s unclear whether they will have life-altering consequences.
The accused was on the run for approximately three hours before being apprehended near a mosque.
Temporary Commander Helen Flanagan, from Counter Terrorism Policing London, commented: “These are extremely serious charges against a young boy and we continue to support the victims and their families, as well as the wider school community, following this shocking incident.
“While we have now charged the boy with these offences, our investigation is ongoing and detectives will continue to carry out inquiries in the local area.
“We are working closely with local policing colleagues in the Brent area and I would also like to thank the school and the wider local community for their support in recent days.”
A representative for the Crown Prosecution Service added: “Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.
“We have worked closely with the police as they have carried out their investigation.
“We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
“It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”