# Teenager given community sentence for stabbing schoolgirl in Cirencester

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/judge-lets-14-year-old-boy-who-stabbed-girl-10-times-walk-free-from-court-because-hes-a-bright-lad-and-prison-is-the-last-place-he-should-be/
- Published: 2026-10-28T11:48:36+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-28T12:08:25+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16245405/Judge-lets-14-year-old-boy-stabbed-girl-10-times-walk-free-bright-lad.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: World

## Key points

- A 14-year-old who stabbed a girl at least 10 times avoided custody.
- The judge cited his age, family background and need for support.
- The victim described lasting fear and nightmares after the attack.

## Summary

A 14-year-old boy who stabbed a schoolgirl at least 10 times in a shop in Cirencester was given a community sentence, not custody. Judge Ian Lawrie KC said prison was the “last place” for the “bright lad”, despite describing the attack as dangerous and expressing concern about the boy’s behaviour.

The boy attacked the girl with a six-inch kitchen knife on 15 March after she rejected his request for a date; he had previously contacted her through fake social media accounts. The girl suffered cuts to her neck, hands and face, as well as bruising, and a shopkeeper was injured while intervening. After spending three months in a secure unit, the boy admitted wounding with intent, causing grievous bodily harm and carrying a knife in public; he received a 12-month referral order and a three-year restraining order.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.