A 15-year-old boy has been found guilty of attempting to murder a 14-year-old girl with a samurai-style sword during a Halloween camping trip.
Hull Crown Court heard that the victim, who had been staying near the A63 in East Yorkshire at the time, suffered 10 stab wounds, including severe damage to her lung and liver. Despite pleading not guilty to attempted murder, the defendant—who cannot be named due to his age—admitted to wounding with intent and possession of a bladed weapon. He has been remanded in custody and is scheduled for sentencing on 4 April.
During the six-day trial, the jury was told the attack occurred on 1 November near the Humber Bridge, where the victim had been camping with a group of friends. Prosecutor David Lamb KC detailed how a dispute between the victim and another girl had led the victim to decide to leave. A boy from the group offered to guide her home through the woods, but the defendant ran after them, instructing the other boy to leave—an act the prosecution argued was part of a deliberate plan to isolate the victim.
The court heard that the defendant had initially pretended to go to the toilet before drawing the sword from his waistband and launching the attack, reportedly saying: “I’m sorry, I have to do this.” Prosecutors also revealed shocking claims that the boy had been offered £20 by another friend to attack the girl following an argument.
Under cross-examination by defence barrister David Godfrey, the defendant admitted he “just wanted to hurt” the victim. However, Mr. Lamb emphasized that stabbing her 10 times was not a mere act of aggression but an attempt to end her life. “It was his intention to kill her,” the prosecutor stated.
A forensic pathologist testified that the victim was “extremely fortunate not to have lost her life” in the assault. With the guilty verdict now delivered, the court awaits the defendant’s sentencing next month.
