Girl, 13, charged over stabbings at Welsh school
A 13-year-old girl has been charged with attempting to murder two teachers and a fellow pupil in a school playground stabbing in Wales.
The two adults and a child all suffered knife wounds in the incident at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire. Dyfed-Powys police said they were also investigating alleged threats by a 15-year-old boy that alluded to the incident.
Police went to an address about five miles from the school and arrested a boy. The force said its detectives were working to establish if there was a link between the two incidents.
All three people who were injured have been discharged from hospital and are recovering at home.
Speaking outside the locked school gates last night, Supt Ross Evans said: “A 13-year-old girl was arrested at the scene. She has now been charged with three counts of attempted murder.
“[On Wednesday] evening, our control room received a number of calls reporting concerns over messages being shared on social media, which had references to the incident at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman.
“Officers swiftly carried out a warrant at the home of the person believed to be responsible for this content, and a 15-year-old male was arrested. He also remains in police custody while we investigate these allegations.”
Evans added: “While this investigation is being run separately to our enquiries into events at the school, our officers are seeking to establish if there was a connection between the alleged offences.”
Darrel Campbell, a teacher who has been at the school for 40 years, intervened during the incident on Wednesday morning.
His brother, Cefin Campbell, a member of the Welsh Senedd, told the Guardian: “He was one of the first teachers to arrive at the scene, there was a commotion going on, a lot of screaming and shouting. He instinctively dealt with the situation.
“He had to deal with a very, very challenging situation. He doesn’t consider himself a hero at all. He acted instinctively; he thought it was the right thing to do. You know when you’re in that situation, you just make a quick judgment and you take action.
“He’s been a teacher there for 40 years. He’s never seen an incident that has come close to this ever before. You get fights at the school yard, I mean that happened when I was in school, but nothing involving weapons,” said Campbell.
One of the teachers injured is the deputy head, Fiona Elias. Campbell said: “She’s a fabulous teacher, lovely personality, and it’s such a shame that this has happened. We obviously wish her well and it will take time for her not only to recover from the physical injuries but the emotional and psychological effect.”
The other teacher injured is Liz Hopkin.
Michael Cray, a senior crown prosecutor with CPS Cymru-Wales, said:
“The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Dyfed-Powys police to charge a girl in connection with the stabbing of three people at Ysgol Dyffryn Amman yesterday.
“Prosecutors from CPS CymruWales authorised the charges following a review of a file of evidence from Dyfed-Powys police.
“A youth who cannot be named for legal reasons has been charged with three counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article on a school premises. The incident occurred at Ysgol Dyffryn Amman, a comprehensive school in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, on Wednesday 24 April 2024.
“The youth has been remanded in custody to appear before Llanelli magistrates court tomorrow on Friday 26 April 2024.”
The school was locked down after the incident. The headteacher, James Durbridge, said he was proud of the students’ response. In a statement posted on the school website, he said: “I wish to commend all staff and pupils for their calm and mature response during today’s lockdown. We are proud to have witnessed pupils embodying the school’s core values while supporting their peers and staff.”
Ysgol Dyffryn Aman remained closed yesterday. Darren Price, the leader of Carmarthenshire county council, praised the school’s response to the incident and said lessons would be moved online and wellbeing support would be available for pupils, parents and staff.
The 13-year-old is expected to appear in court today.