Teenager sentenced for knife attack in Bagillt

The defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Mold Crown Court for sentencing on Friday.

He'd admitted at a previous hearing that he attacked a 16-year-old in Bagillt last year.

David Mainstone, prosecuting, told the court that the incident happened while the victim was waiting at a bus stop outside McColls in the High Street.

The defendant had turned up with a friend and stabbed the 16-year-old in the chest with an eight-inch kitchen knife.

It caused his lung to collapse, with the defendant running from the scene and changing his clothes at home in order to change his appearance.

READ MORE: Man fined for assaulting police at Wrexham farm

When the knife was recovered, it was found to have snapped where the blade and handle meet.

Mr Mainstone said the injury was mercifully minor, but could have had far more serious consequences.

In a statement read out to the court, the victim said he'd suffered sleepless nights and bad nightmares, not to mention months of pain and a scar.

A great deal of anxiety is also felt by his family, who become worried if he's even a few minutes late home.

The court heard the 14-year-old had an "obsession" with blades.

Mold Crown Court (Image: Archive)

Oliver King, defending, told Judge Niclas Parry: "[He] understands it's your job to punish him for what he did - which is very serious - and to protect the public from his behaviour like that in the future."

He urged the Judge to impose a detention and training order rather than a straight forward custodial term - reasoning that the defendant would benefit more from it in the long term.

Judge Parry told the boy: "This was a truly shocking incident.

"The knife broke - such was the force you used.

"You could have killed him. It is pure luck that you didn't."

READ MORE: Youth in court following Bagillt knife attack

Judge Parry said the defendant had made references to 'finishing the job' if he came across the victim again, adding: "Another matter which worries me is that you've not shown any interest in saying sorry, or any sign you regret what you've done.

"You have a fascination, an obsession, with weapons."

He added: "It is clear you struggle to display age-appropriate levels of insight into what you have done."

Judge Parry said an adult in the defendant's position would be looking at a custodial term of six to six-and-a-half years for the crime, but due to his age he had to apply discounts on the sentence.

"The public will understand," he told the court, "they might not be happy - but I have to bear in mind the impact a custodial sentence would have on your life chances, your development, your motivation to do better in the future.

"Because of this, these courts are told that once they have decided on the adult sentence, they slash that by 50 per cent, or even two thirds - even more if the offender is under 15."

After applying that discount, and giving the defendant credit for his guilty plea, the Judge arrived at a 24 month detention and training order.

The boy must serve half before being released on strictly supervised license for the remainder.

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