School worker stabbed by pupil ‘expected a hug’

A school welfare officer stabbed by a “top set” female pupil thought her attacker had come to give her a hug.

Joy Simon, 61, was seriously injured in her office at Winterton Community Academy, north Lincs, last September.

Richard Wright QC, prosecuting. told Hull Crown Court: “She at first thought that (the girl) was going to hug her but then felt a thud to her chest and realised that she had been injured or possibly stabbed.”

The 16-year-old, said to be “bright and able”, admitted wounding with intent and possessing a bladed article and will be sentenced next week.