**Teenager Sentenced for Attempted Murder Following Disturbing Ammanford School Stabbing**
A teenage girl who carried out a shocking knife attack at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford has been sentenced for the attempted murder of two teachers and a fellow pupil. The sentencing took place at Swansea Crown Court on Monday, following the widely reported incident that sent shockwaves through the local community in April last year.
The defendant, who cannot be named due to legal restrictions, was found guilty in February on three counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article. The court heard that the pupil took her father’s multi-tool from home without his knowledge and used it to stab deputy head Fiona Elias, teacher Liz Hopkin, and another female pupil during the school’s morning break.
Court proceedings painted a harrowing picture of the events. According to evidence, the teenager approached Mrs Elias in the schoolyard, telling her directly: “I’m going to f****** kill you,” before attacking her with the blade. When Mrs Hopkin tried to intervene and restrain the girl, she was also stabbed multiple times in the neck, back, legs, and arms. As chaos ensued, the teenager ran from the scene and stabbed a fellow pupil before being eventually subdued by staff and disarmed.
The trial was marked by emotional testimony and disturbing CCTV footage, which was played for the jury and showed the incident as it unfolded in front of other horrified students. Some of these students later gave evidence, further highlighting the traumatic impact that the incident had on the wider school community.
During her defence, the girl claimed that she had been the victim of frequent bullying at the school, stating that she felt “anxious and scared all the time.” She asserted that she never intended to hurt or kill anyone, telling the court, “It just doesn’t sound like me.” Nevertheless, the jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts, rejecting her assertions.
Victim impact statements read out in court emphasised the deep and lasting consequences of the attack. Deputy Head Fiona Elias described how what should have been a routine day at school turned into a life-changing ordeal. She candidly told the court that seeing the tip of the knife would be “etched into my mind” forever and spoke of the guilt she felt that pupils and colleagues had witnessed such a traumatic scene. Mrs Elias also expressed her concern for the school’s reputation, the fear experienced by parents, and the psychological scars borne by those present.
In a powerful address to the defendant, Mrs Elias stated: “While you may not have succeeded in ending my life, you have put my family and the entire school through hell.” She also said that ‘resilience’ had become more important than ever for the school, determined not to let the attack define them.
The court also heard from psychologists and the Youth Offending Team, who concluded that the defendant posed a “medium to high risk” of further violence. Judge Paul Thomas KC addressed the complex issue of sentencing young offenders, noting the need to balance preventing reoffending, the welfare and maturity of the child, and the gravity of the crimes. Had the defendant been an adult, the starting point for sentencing would have been at least 25 years.
Defence barrister Caroline Rees KC highlighted the girl’s low level of maturity, alluding to the significant personal challenges she faced and requested that these factors be taken into account. The judge acknowledged that the “future for [the defendant] is uncertain,” underlining the ongoing risk she poses in her current environment and potentially heightened risk outside of it.
Notably, the court confirmed that reporting restrictions preventing the naming of the defendant would remain in place to protect her identity. Judge Thomas indicated he would provide detailed reasons for this decision at a later date.
This case has reignited discussions around school safety, youth mental health, and the prevention of violence within educational settings. As sentencing concludes, Ysgol Dyffryn Aman and the wider Ammanford community are left to recover, with support being provided for staff and pupils affected by these traumatic events.