BOY TOOK 7-INCH KITCHEN KNIFE INTO CITY SCHOOL:
A COMPREHENSIVE school pupil took a knife into school after being mocked by another pupil.
The boy, who is a pupil at a high school in the Cardiff area, took the 7in kitchen knife into school after becoming “angry” and “frustrated” by comments made about his father.
Yesterday, Cardiff Youth Court heard the pupil, who cannot be identified, decided to take the weapon into school on June 7.
But after speaking to a friend he discarded the weapon and hid it in the school grounds until teachers were informed.
Prosecutor Alex Dubljevic said: “The circumstances of the matter appear to emanate from some comments that came from another pupil in the school made to the defendant regarding his father.
“He said he became angry because of the comment.
“At school there was some discussion with another pupil. When the other pupil became aware that the defendant had a knife they told him it was a bad idea and that he should dispose of it.
“The defendant then hid the knife in some bushes.”
The court heard that following the incident the pupil now spends time talking to friends about the dangers of carrying knives.
Mr Dubljevic said: “He said he was very sorry for what he had done and he said he didn’t really think it through.
“Police asked him if his friend had not spoken to him if he would have gone through with it... He said he didn’t think he would have used [the knife].”
Angelo Gooden, defending, said negative comments had also been made about the pupil’s father when the child was in primary school.
He said: “The defendant reported the matter to the headmaster – we don’t know what was done about that but it came from that school to high school.”
“He rarely speaks to his dad – there is very little involvement. His dad is someone involved in the criminal justice system.”
After pleading guilty to being in possession of a knife the pupil has been made the subject of a ninemonth referral order.
His family must also pay a £20 victim surcharge and an order was made to destroy the weapon.
Speaking about the comments made about his father, the pupil said: “It made me quite angry and frustrated.
“I’m trying to speak more to my friends who carry knives and tell them never to do it again.”
A relative speaking about him to the court added: “He is a good boy.
“Obviously there is the odd moment where you have to nag him to tidy his room but he is no trouble.
“I am proud of him – not proud of the circumstances but I’m always proud of him.”
During the hearing bench chairman Judith James warned the boy of the dangers of carrying knives.
She said: “The thing about having a knife is that it can also be used on you.”