14-Year-Old Girl Sentenced for Stabbing Attack on Teachers and Pupil

A 14-year-old girl has been sentenced to 15 years in detention after stabbing two teachers and a fellow student while shouting threats to kill at a school in Carmarthenshire.

The teenager, whose identity remains protected due to her age, must serve at least half of her sentence in custody. She was convicted of attempted murder following a second trial at Swansea Crown Court earlier this year, after the initial trial was abandoned.

The violent incident occurred at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman last April, leaving teachers Fiona Elias, Liz Hopkin, and a 14-year-old pupil hospitalized with stab wounds.

During the sentencing, Ms Hopkin directly addressed the teenager, telling her: “You are not a murderer,” while Ms Elias described the trauma inflicted upon her, her family, and the wider school community, saying they had been “put through hell.”

The court heard that the girl brought a weapon to school daily and used her father’s multi-tool knife to attack Ms Elias, repeatedly stabbing her and shouting threats. Fellow students testified that the girl had earlier spoken about plans to stab Ms Elias.

When Ms Hopkin intervened to stop the assault, she too was attacked, sustaining multiple injuries to her neck, arms, back, and legs. The teenager also stabbed another pupil during the standoff before being restrained by teacher Darrel Campbell.

In her emotional victim impact statement, Ms Elias recalled the traumatic moment she saw the blade, calling it an image “etched” in her mind. She revealed the mental scars and the physical ones she continues to endure, adding that her daughter learned about the attack through a disturbing social media post.

Ms Elias expressed gratitude for Ms Hopkin’s brave actions, which she said prevented the worst outcome, and shared her commitment to campaigning for teachers’ safety in the future.

Meanwhile, Ms Hopkin told the court how the attack left deep emotional and physical scars, yet she emphasized her role in saving lives that day. “I’m still here, I’m still alive,” she said, highlighting her resolve and compassion for the young assailant, even expressing concern for the girl’s future.

Prosecutor Michael Cray described the attack as a “terrifying” ordeal for everyone involved and praised the courage shown by staff and students during the tragedy.