Teenager given community sentence for stabbing schoolgirl in Cirencester
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.
In short
- 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.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A community sentence may be defended on the grounds that a 14-year-old’s age, prospects for rehabilitation and time already spent in a secure unit make custody a poor or disproportionate next step. A referral order can impose supervision and support while helping prevent further offending, and a restraining order provides protection for the victim.
The case against
A custodial sentence may be argued for because the attack was deliberate, involved repeated knife wounds and seriously injured both the girl and a shopkeeper who intervened. Given the danger posed and the victim’s need for safety and recognition of the harm, a community sentence may be seen as insufficient punishment or protection, even while accounting for the boy’s age.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Judge lets 14-year-old boy who stabbed girl 10 times walk free from court because he’s a ‘bright lad’ and prison is the ‘last place he should be’”.