13-Year-Old Boy Appears in Court Over Alleged School Stabbing Incident in Brent
A 13-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has made his first appearance at the Old Bailey, facing charges related to a violent attack at Kingsbury High School in Brent. The youth is accused of stabbing two boys in the neck and spraying a third with insect spray during the incident on February 10.
Court Appearance and Charges
During the hearing on Friday, February 27, before Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, the boy bit his nails and spoke only to confirm his name. He has been charged with two counts of attempted murder, unlawfully administering a noxious substance to a third child, and possessing a knife on school grounds without valid reason or lawful authority.
Prosecutor Ben Lloyd outlined the case, alleging that the defendant prepared for the attack by arming himself with an aerosol of insect spray and positioning his mobile phone in his blazer pocket to record events. According to Mr Lloyd, the boy entered the school premises, knocked on a classroom door, and hid along a wall, armed with a kitchen knife.
Details of the Alleged Attack
The prosecutor stated that when a child opened the classroom door, the defendant sprayed him directly in the face. Once inside, he stabbed another child in the neck, with both incidents occurring in the presence of a teacher and numerous other children. The defendant then left the classroom and moments later attacked a second child in the playground, stabbing him in the neck in front of others.
After the attack, the defendant fled and evaded detection for approximately three hours before being apprehended by police. The father of the accused was present during the court hearing, and the boy has been remanded in custody.
Trial Schedule and Legal Proceedings
Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb established a schedule for the case, confirming it will be presided over by a High Court judge at the Old Bailey. A plea hearing is set for July 3, with a trial expected to last up to three weeks, commencing on November 23.
This case highlights serious concerns about youth crime and school safety in the Brent area, as the community grapples with the aftermath of the alleged violent incident at Kingsbury High School.
