A teenage schoolgirl has been charged with attempted murder after a stabbing at a school in Wales....CONTINUE READING
Pupils at Amman Valley School, also known as Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, in Carmarthenshire, went into lockdown just after 11.20am on Wednesday after the stabbing at the end of morning break.
Two teachers, named Fiona Elias and Liz Hopkin, and a pupil were hurt in the incident but have now been released from hospital.
A 13-year-old girl has been charged with three counts of attempted murder, Superintendent Ross Evans, of Dyfed-Powys police, said.
In a statement read outside the school, Superintendent Evans said: ‘Two teachers and a pupil were taken to hospital with stab wounds. They have all since been discharged.
‘A 13-year-old-girl was arrested at the scene. She has now been charged with three counts of attempted murder.’
A 15-year-old boy has been arrested and remains in police custody on suspicion of making threats referencing the stabbing incident at Amman Valley School.
Superintendent Evans said: ‘Following (the stabbing incident), yesterday evening, our control room received a number of calls reporting concerns about messages being shared on social media which had references to the incident here at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman.
‘Officers swiftly carried out a warrant at the home of the person believed to be responsible for this content and a 15-year-old male has been arrested.
‘He also remains in police custody while we investigate these allegations.’​
Superintendent Evans thanked medics for their ‘swift response’ in helping victims involved in the incident.
He said: ‘I would once again like to thank our colleagues at the Welsh Ambulance Service and Wales Air Ambulance Service for their swift response to this incident.
‘As well as the NHS staff who treated those who were injured, the charitable organisations who are supporting those affected by this incident and the vigilant members of the public who reported their concerns to us.’
The husband of stabbed teacher Liz Hopkin said it would be several weeks before she would think about returning to school.
Mrs Hopkin suffered four knife wounds, one to the neck, two in the back and one in her knee when she bravely tried to stop a girl pupil being attacked.
Her husband John said: ‘They are all serious wounds – she was cleaned up and had stitches put in.
‘She’s weak, pretty ill actually and in pain but she’s putting a brave face on it.
‘She’s got at least a few weeks before the wounds heal and she can think about going back to school.’
Mr Hopkin said his wife had been informed that the 13-year-old girl pupil had been charged with attempted murder on her, another teacher and a girl pupil.
He said: ‘I don’t really want to talk about that – I don’t know the girl.’
Michael Cray, Senior Crown Prosecutor of CPS Cymru-Wales, said: ‘The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Dyfed Powys Police to charge a girl in connection with the stabbing of three people at Ysgol Dyffryn Amman yesterday.
‘Prosecutors from CPS Cymru-Wales authorised the charges following a review of a file of evidence from Dyfed Powys Police.
‘A youth who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with three counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article on a school premises. The incident occurred at Ysgol Dyffryn Amman, a comprehensive school in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire on Wednesday 24 April 2024.
‘The youth has been remanded in custody to appear before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court tomorrow on Friday, 26 April 2024.
‘Criminal proceedings are active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial.
‘It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings…<<CONTINUE READING>>
