A teenager fascinated by serial killers has been convicted of attempting to murder a girl in an unprovoked stabbing at his school.
The boy, who had also written about his ‘hatred for women’, was 15 when he approached the unsuspecting victim in a corridor wearing a mask and drove a knife into her back.
The attack triggered an urgent search for the assailant. He fled the school, leaping over a gate as a teacher pursued him.
Thorpe St Andrew School, near Norwich in Norfolk, remained in lockdown for several hours before armed police found and arrested the suspect, who cannot be named for legal reasons. Concerned parents gathered outside after learning of the incident on social media.
The investigation uncovered what prosecutors described as a ‘dangerous interest in killers and killing’. The teenager had used an app to produce disturbing videos, including one depicting serial killers Ed Kemper and Ted Bundy ‘dancing over a still image of the globe’.
Notes discovered by police appeared to indicate a possible motive. The boy had written: ‘misanthropy, misogyny, suicide, bullying’.
Armed police arrest the suspect after the knife attack at Thorpe St Andrew School near Norwich
The teenager admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing a bladed article, but denied attempting to murder the girl.
After a two-week trial, the jury at King’s Lynn Crown Court retired yesterday to consider its verdict. It took less than four hours to reach a unanimous decision this morning.
Wearing a grey sweatshirt, the teenager showed no reaction as he sat in the glass-fronted dock between two security guards and a woman intermediary who had remained beside him throughout the trial.
Members of the public, including relatives of the boy, also remained silent as the verdict was delivered from the public gallery.
His victim, who had been sitting in court with members of her family, wept as she left the building afterwards.
Earlier, Mr Justice Lickley KC had instructed those in the gallery to show ‘no reaction’ and receive the verdict with ‘respect’.
Police search a classroom after the school was placed in lockdown
The judge adjourned sentencing at King’s Lynn Crown Court until December 18 to allow reports to be prepared.
Mr Justice Lickley said: ‘I am going to order a pre-sentence report and the court will assess the issue of dangerousness.’
Addressing the teenager, the judge said: ‘You have been found guilty by the jury of the offence of attempted murder. I am sure you understand how serious that is.
‘I won’t pass sentence today. I will be passing sentence on December 18 when reports will be available at that time. I am sure you will understand that, not only will I have to pass a custodial sentence, but one of considerable length.’
The boy’s collection of disturbing videos created using the CapCut app also featured a compilation of Paul Spector, the fictional killer from the BBC series The Fall.
Another video showed Dexter Morgan, the serial-killer vigilante from the long-running US programme Dexter, ‘dancing over a map of Florida with a list of names of the victims’.
Worried families waited outside after hearing about the incident
Suffolk Strangler Steve Wright, who killed five prostitutes from Ipswich in 2006, was also referenced.
The court heard the boy had also written that he had ‘seen killers being admired, I want admiration, gratification. I’ve wanted this for years. I don’t care who I hurt. Not anymore’.
Other notes found at his bedroom described how ‘the idea of violence or possibly even murder sparks something in me’.
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One appeared to outline a plan for multiple murders. It said: ‘I really want to do it, really bad. I hate having to wait… but I have to wait. I need a plan…
‘I want at least two, maybe three. I’d be proud of five.’
And a suicide note found pinned to his wall said bleakly: ‘My barren world. Hello to all readers out there in the UK and perhaps the world. If you’re reading this, I’m either dead or in custody.’
Teachers barricaded doors while officers hunted for the teenager
Officers look for evidence following the attack on May 11 this year
The defendant, who is now 16, continued: ‘My resentment for myself and others has only grown throughout my existence. I thought it got better. I tried to make it better.
‘But I see it in people’s eyes. The disgust. Perhaps it’s reflection of me? No. My reflection is what fuels their hatred. Ever since the failure of a relationship, my hatred for women has fuelled.
‘A girl I’ve never met before said something degrading to me the other day. I wanted to cut that ugly bitch’s throat. And her retarded little slut friend.
‘They’re nothing but fools that know nothing about life or feelings. Am I evil for that? Probably. Am I an incel? A misogynist? No. I just have good judgement.’
School CCTV footage played in court during the trial showed the defendant approach his 15-year-old victim on May 11 and strike her in the left of her back near her shoulder blade with the knife.
He then ran away, pursued by the brave teacher, leaving behind a glove.
The victim, also aged 15, was treated at hospital for an injury to her shoulder but was discharged the following day
When he was arrested by police shortly afterwards, his backpack is said to have contained the other glove, the mask and a black woollen hat. He directed officers to the knife he used.
His victim escaped with minor injuries by ‘sheer luck’, prosecutor Chris Paxton KC said, and was released from hospital the following day.
In a recorded interview, she described how she thought he had punched her at first and began walking away, only starting to sprint when a teacher ‘screamed’ at her.
Giving evidence in court, she added she didn’t know her attacker and had never even seen him before.
The trial heard the defendant had a kitchen knife from home in November last year and later went to his mother to confess he was ‘feeling down and had intended to hurt himself but he chickened out’.
This followed a personal issue he was dealing with and help was sought from his school. He also agreed to have counselling.
In his opening speech, prosecutor Mr Paxton said the schoolboy – who ‘remained silent’ during his police interview – had ‘an intention to kill’.
‘That is why he had a knife, that is why he approached her from behind, that is why he stabbed her in the back, bringing the knife up and back before striking it into her,’ he said.
‘Further, we say his intention is made plain not just by those moments of the stabbing but by his notes, and his obsession with killing, and being fuelled by hatred.’
Following the conviction, Detective Inspector Kerrie Atkin said: ‘This was a deeply shocking and deliberate attack which caused significant distress to the victim, her family, fellow pupils and the wider school community.’
Mr Paxton today said victim impact statements would be prepared for the sentencing, along with a report on the ‘wider impact on the school community’.