Jury ‘irretrievably compromised’ in trial of girl accused of attempted murder

The jury in the trial of a young girl accused of stabbing two teachers and a fellow pupil at a school in South Wales has been discharged due to “irregularities”.

The 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admits wounding with intent but denied attempted murder after stabbing three people at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman – also known as Amman Valley School – in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, on April 24.

During the trial at Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday, Judge Paul Thomas KC discharged the jury.

“With the greatest of possible reluctance, I will have to discharge this jury.”

The judge said the move was undesirable and the girl will have to stand trial again next year.

A new trial has been set for January 27.

One member of the jury was asked to stay behind and the public to leave the court.

Asked to clarify what led to the trial’s collapse, the judge said: “An irregularity occurred during the jury’s deliberations, which led to the jury as a whole being discharged.

“Inquiries are being conducted about the circumstances which brought about this course, and no further information can be disclosed to the public until such inquiries have been completed.”

The trial had been in its final stages, with the jury sent out to consider verdicts on Tuesday.

The teenager, who was 13 at the time of the incident, attacked teachers Fiona Elias and Liz Hopkin during the school’s morning break.

She then moved on to stab another girl before being restrained by staff.

All three victims survived the attack but Ms Hopkin, who was stabbed in the neck, had to be flown to Cardiff by air ambulance.

A Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Legal proceedings surrounding the incident at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman on Wednesday, April 24 are still active, and it would not be appropriate for us to comment any further at this time.

“A re-trial is set to begin on January 27 2025.

“We would like to remind people that the teenager accused of three counts of attempted murder cannot be named for legal reasons.

“We urge people not to speculate on the details of the case, nor to share footage or material which could prejudice the case or cause further distress to those involved.”