A 13-year-old boy who allegedly stabbed two fellow students in the neck and sprayed a third with insect repellent during a violent incident at a London school will face trial at the Old Bailey later this year. The juvenile defendant, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared in Crown Court for the first time on Friday, where a timetable was established for his case to be heard by a High Court judge.
Details of the Alleged Attack at Kingsbury High School
The shocking incident unfolded on February 10 at Kingsbury High School in the Brent borough of London. According to prosecutor Ben Lloyd, the defendant allegedly armed himself with a kitchen knife and an aerosol can of insect spray before entering the school premises. He reportedly positioned his mobile phone in his blazer pocket to record the events that followed.
Mr Lloyd detailed how the boy first knocked on a classroom door, then hid along the side of the wall. When a student opened the door, the defendant allegedly sprayed him directly in the face with the insect repellent. Once inside the classroom, he is accused of stabbing another student in the neck in the presence of a teacher and numerous other children.
Additional Violence in the Playground
The prosecutor further stated that after leaving the classroom, the defendant allegedly attacked a second student in the playground, stabbing him in the neck as well. This second attack also occurred in front of witnesses. Following the violent outburst, the boy reportedly ran away and remained undetected for approximately three hours before being apprehended by police officers.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
During the court hearing before Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, the young defendant bit his nails and spoke only to confirm his name. His father attended the proceedings, watching as his son was remanded into custody following the hearing.
The boy faces serious charges including:
- Two counts of attempted murder
- Unlawfully and maliciously administering a noxious substance to a third child
- Possession of a knife on school premises without good reason or lawful authority
Trial Schedule Established
Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb confirmed that the case will be heard by a High Court judge at the Old Bailey, London's central criminal court. A plea hearing has been scheduled for July 3, with a trial expected to begin on November 23. The trial is anticipated to last up to three weeks as evidence is presented and examined.
The case has drawn significant attention to school safety concerns in London and raises important questions about juvenile violence in educational settings. As the legal process moves forward, authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack at Kingsbury High School.
