A 14-year-old boy stabbed a girl in a shop in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, on 15 March after she refused to go on a date with him. The boy, who had become obsessed with the girl after she rejected his advances in December 2025, was arrested at the scene and later pleaded guilty to wounding with intent, grievous bodily harm without intent, and possession of a bladed article in a public place. At Bristol Crown Court, he received a 12-month referral order and a three-year restraining order.

The attack occurred in broad daylight at around 11:15am, with CCTV footage showing the boy calmly approaching the girl before stabbing her multiple times. The girl sustained cuts to her neck, hands and face, along with bruising to her back; a shopkeeper who intervened was also struck with the knife. The boy had been using fake social media accounts to send the girl messages after she rejected him, and police found a knife in his jeans pocket when he was apprehended near the location. The victim reported suffering ongoing trauma, including nightmares and anxiety, which has affected her ability to trust others and her willingness to be outside alone.