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A judge told a 14-year-old boy who tried to stab a girl several times that prison was the “last place” for a “bright lad” like him, The Telegraph can reveal.**

The boy attacked the girl with a six-inch kitchen knife at a shop in Cirencester, Gloucs, after she had spurned his advances.

He pleaded guilty to wounding with intent, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a bladed article* in a public place.***

Police said the girl was “very lucky not to have very serious, if not fatal injuries “ after the boy made “over 10 attempts” to stab her.**

He was given a 12-month referral order and a three-year restraining order.**

Transcripts of court hearings in the case, seen by The Telegraph, reveal that Judge Ian Lawrie KC’s principal consideration was the offender’s rehabilitation.**

“You’re a bright lad – I’m going to impose a curfew,” the judge said. “You’re not to contact directly or indirectly by any means, social media or otherwise, [the victim] and her mother, and also keep out of mischief.**

“My own view is custody is the last place you should be… What I’m trying to do is find a sentence that’s best constructed to help you and give you support.”**

It is very obvious why they censored the boy’s face. No name reveal?

According to the judge, if you stab someone several times then prison is the last place you should be in.

The judge told the court: “The planning, the thought process, the carrying of the knife, and what I’ve seen on the CCTV, the actions which frankly stand out markedly as dangerous.”**

The judge commissioned a psychiatric report which suggested that the boy, who had no previous convictions and a good school attendance record, might have autism.**

“He has a number of issues and difficulties but not of a nature or an order that means that I take the view he’s a danger,” said the judge at the final court hearing in September. “He’s still young, and he’s capable of learning.”**

Judge Lawrie imposed a 12-month referral order, which was likely to involve the boy taking part in programmes to address his offending behaviour, and a three-year restraining order, to keep him away from the girl.**

Addressing the teenager, the judge said that if he complied with the conditions of the orders he would not be brought back to court. “In a way it is an element of give and take,” he said.**

After the sentencing, Det Supt Ian Fletcher, the head of serious and complex investigations, said: “This was a frenzied attack that took place in broad daylight.**

“The victim was stabbed multiple times with a knife and has been very, very lucky to get away with only minor injuries. We could easily have been looking at a fatal incident if that knife had pierced her anywhere else.”**

He added: “There were over 10 attempts to stab her. The severity and the length of the attack – he’s clearly very determined to cause serious injury.”**

No such thing as premeditated murder in this case. Doesn’t exist.

He even has a bright future ahead of himself!

When you are 14 years old, you cannot tell the difference between right or wrong.

The boy enters the stop, walks with purpose and confidence and stabs her.

References

Judge lets ‘bright lad’ who tried to stab girl ‘10 times’ avoid jail | The Telegraph