A teenage girl accused of the attempted murder of two teachers and a pupil took a knife to school "every day" because she was "anxious" and "scared", according to testimony presented at her trial. The incident occurred on April 24, 2024, at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, also known as Amman Valley school, located in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire. On the fifth day of the trial at Swansea Crown Court, the defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, claimed the attack was "really out of character" and asserted, "It doesn’t seem like something I would do."
The jury, comprised of seven men and five women, has heard the girl has pleaded guilty to three counts of wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article on school grounds but claims she did not attempt to murder anyone. Wearing a white shirt and black knitted vest, the defendant expressed the impact of bullying on her life, stating she was tormented "three to four times" each week. This bullying, she claims, exacerbated her anxiety, leading to the extremes of her actions on the day of the stabbings.
One of the significant pieces of evidence from the trial includes the girl's drawings, including one depicting her teacher as "Mrs Frogface Elias." She insisted the drawing was harmless, describing it as her way of "expressing [herself]" and noted she was just “taking the mick.” Before the attack, she admitted to being rude to Teacher Elias but said she did not know Teacher Hopkin prior to April 24. Yet, she acknowledged feelings of animosity toward the unnamed pupil she stabbed, though she reiterated she never intended to harm her.
The teenager recounted her feelings after the attack, stating, "I try to forget about it, but sometimes it just kind ofcomes back." Describing the psychological toll of the incident, she mentioned feeling "a bit jumpy" and reflected on the chaos surrounding the moment she was taken to the office following the incident, still rattled and shocked.
The court proceedings revealed the defendant had been carrying knives to school long before the stabbing, citing feelings of anxiety and fear as her motivations. A day before transport, following the discovery of a knife hidden within her school bag, she found alternative hiding spots for her blades, leading to her father's unawareness of her actions.
During testimony on days five and six of the trial, the defendant articulated incidents from her life leading up to the stabbings, describing her emotions on the day of the attack. She stated, "I was really unhappy and quite up and down." When pressed about her thoughts during the event, she often struggled to recall salient details. "I don’t really think it over," she remarked, indicating the confusion and trauma related to the incident.
The trial has also delved deeply, focusing on her drawings and writings recovered by police. Some of the phrases included dark musings, such as "Why do I want to kill others as much as I want to kill myself?" and "I feel like I am going to commit a crime of a lifetime." The jurors have been reminded repeatedly, as argued by prosecuting barrister William Hughes KC, of the significant difference between having dark thoughts and executing violent actions.
Mrs. Elias and Mrs. Hopkin spoke about their near-death experiences from the attack. Each stated they feared for their lives during the assault, which the prosecution characterized as premeditated. Prosecutors have argued the girl's behavior demonstrated intent, highlighting her comments made to police following her arrest; she reportedly mused about the potential for media attention with statements like, "That's one way to be a celebrity."
When questioned about the attack, the girl indicated she could hardly comprehend what had transpired, responding "no" to queries about whether she had wanted to inflict harm or kill any of the individuals involved. Testimony continued with both defense and prosecution examining the nuances of her intentions during the attack on her classmates and teachers. Defense lawyer Caroline Rees KC laid out questions indicating her position was one of fear and anxiety rather than malice.
The lack of recollection concerning her actions on the day of the stabbings remains central at trial. The defendant has contended, "It just doesn’t sound like me," when discussing her actions. She has also stated, "It doesn’t feel like something I would do" and offered sentiments of regret for her behavior, leaving jurors to assess intent, state of mind, and circumstances surrounding the tragic day at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman.
While the trial continues, it raises extensive questions about youth mental health, the impact of bullying, and the accessibility and handling of dangerous items within school settings. The atmosphere of the trial underscored the growing concern and attention to both the individual struggles and collective responsibilities of schools, educators, and communities to protect students.