A 14-year-old girl who stabbed two teachers and another pupil at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman has expressed deep remorse during her court trial, wishing she could turn back the clock on her actions. The incident, which took place on April 24 last year, left Teachers Fiona Elias and Liz Hopkin, along with one of their students, hospitalized with serious injuries.
During the proceedings at Swansea Crown Court, the girl, who cannot be named due to her age, admitted to three counts of wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article on school premises. Despite these admissions, she has denied the more serious allegations of attempted murder. On the witness stand, she conveyed her sorrow, stating: "It's kind of hard to forget but it's also really hard toremember. My feelings toward it are sorry."
When questioned by her defense counsel, Caroline Rees KC, about the gravity of her actions, the girl replied, "It doesn't sound like me. It doesn't feel like something I would do." Her remarks indicate a disconnect between her perceived identity and the violent actions she took, raising questions about her mental state at the time of the stabbings.
The court heard testimony detailing the girl's troubling background. It was revealed she had begun taking knives to school as far back as primary school due to being bullied, coupled with her struggles with self-harm. Further complicative factors emerged when it was disclosed her father would check her school bag for knives daily, highlighting the family’s concern for her safety.
Relaying her emotional condition on the day of the attack, the girl described feeling "really unhappy" and "quite up and down" emotionally. She stated, "I was rude and irresponsible" toward Mrs. Elias, one of the victims, reflecting her internal conflict and perhaps leading to the eventual violent outburst. When pressed whether she had ever intended to hurt her teachers or classmate, she consistently denied having planned to inflict harm.
During cross-examination, Prosecution Counsel Williams Hughes KC explored the girl’s actions during the incident. Hughes presented evidence, including CCTV footage, which showed the girl engaged with the victims during the attack and queried her about her intentions. He asked if she had shouted threats, to which she maintained she could not recall. "I don'tremember anything at the time," the girl said, indicating potential gaps in her memory during the incident.
One of the most concerning pieces of evidence presented was found within the girl's personal notebook. Hughes questioned the girl about her writings, which suggested darker thoughts, including references to committing crimes. When asked if those writings implied she wished to gain notoriety, she emphatically rejected the notion: "No," she replied when asked if she wanted media attention.
The emotional turbulence expressed by the girl adds complexity to the incident's narrative. The jury was reminded of the girl’s age and mental state during the attack, with Judge Paul Thomas KC emphasizing the importance of considering her youth and the intervening time since the events unfolded when deliberation takes place.
The trial, which delves deeply not only the specifics of the stabbing incident but also the broader themes of mental health, bullying, and the consequences of violence, remains underway. The defense continues to argue the girl's lack of intent to kill, positioning her actions as reflexive amid overwhelming emotional distress.
Social reactions have been mixed, with community members expressing shock over the aggression exhibited within the school environment, questioning how such violence could erupt from someone so young. Educators and local leaders are calling for greater awareness of mental health support within educational settings to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
Throughout the case, the ramifications of the events continue to resonate across the Ammanford community, highlighting the urgent need for interventions aimed at supporting young people who may experience isolation or distress. Families and educators alike are left grappling with the aftermath of the attack carried out by someone who, just as much as her victims, struggles with her own pain.
The trial is expected to continue as both sides present more evidence and testimonies, awaiting the jury's verdict on the girl’s intent and responsibility concerning the grievous actions taken nearly nine months ago.