14-Year-Old Schoolgirl Stabs Three in Shocking Incident, Says It Was ‘One Way to Be a Celebrity’, Court Hears
A chilling incident at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman has left an entire community in shock. A 14-year-old girl stabbed two teachers and a fellow pupil, claiming her actions were a path to celebrity status. This tragic event occurred on 24 April and has since become the focal point of a trial at Swansea Crown Court, where more unsettling details have come to light.
In today’s court session, the jury watched bodycam footage from the arresting police officer, showing the girl’s disturbing reactions immediately following the triple stabbing. Despite the gravity of the situation, the teenager seemed calm, even dismissive, as she told the officer: “I stabbed her. Oopsies.” The footage captured not only the act but also her troubling remarks, shedding light on her unsettling mindset.
Let’s break down what happened and what we’ve learned so far.
A Shocking Attack in the Classroom
The incident took place at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, where teachers Fiona Elias and Liz Hopkin, along with a pupil, were stabbed during school hours.
It all started innocuously as the 14-year-old sat at a table with fellow students, casually showing them the knife she would later use. CCTV footage revealed that she then approached Ms. Elias and Ms. Hopkin, speaking to them for around two minutes before suddenly striking.
- Ms. Elias was the first to be attacked. After the initial strike, she managed to run away, trying to escape further harm.
- Ms. Hopkin wasn’t as fortunate, being stabbed multiple times, with one blow hitting her neck.
At this point, the school went into lockdown, with crowds of parents gathering outside, desperate for news about their children.
Disturbing Motives: “One Way to Be a Celebrity”
Perhaps the most chilling aspect of this case is the teenager’s reasoning behind the attack. As the bodycam footage played in court, the jury heard the girl telling the arresting officer, Sophia Coschignano-Brown, that she believed her actions would bring her fame.
- “Sooner or later I’m 90% sure this is going to be on the news,” she said, adding that it was “one way to be a celebrity”.
These statements reflect a disturbing trend where celebrity culture and social media glorify dangerous or extreme behaviour, especially among young people.
Arrest and Courtroom Drama
In court, the footage continued, showing the girl being arrested and placed into a police vehicle. As she sat there, she asked if the two teachers and the pupil she stabbed were going to die. Her dispassionate tone in the footage shocked those in the courtroom.
The jury also saw CCTV of the moment teacher Darrel Campbell restrained the girl after she stabbed the pupil. This dramatic footage captured the crucial moment when Mr. Campbell’s brave intervention stopped her rampage.
How the Incident Unfolded: A Timeline of Events
Prosecution barrister William Hughes KC provided a more detailed timeline of events during the trial:
- The girl approached the teachers outside and spent two minutes talking to them.
- She suddenly stabbed Ms. Elias, who fled the scene.
- She then turned on Ms. Hopkin, stabbing her several times before moving towards another pupil.
- CCTV captured her shouting at the pupil before stabbing her as well.
In addition to the courtroom footage, Snapchat videos from other students were shown, documenting the chaotic moments immediately after the attack.
The School’s Response: Code Red Lockdown
The headteacher of Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, James Durbridge, took swift action. After receiving a call from Ms. Elias, who informed him she had been stabbed, he immediately called for a “code red” lockdown. This ensured the safety of the other pupils and allowed emergency services to respond without further risk.
In his statement, Mr. Durbridge described the scene upon his arrival. He witnessed Ms. Hopkin bleeding profusely and saw the teenage girl being restrained. He approached her and calmly asked her to release the knife, which she eventually did.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ceri Myers, the school’s deputy head, took the girl to his office after the incident. He recalled the chilling moment when the girl was asked if she had any thoughts of self-harm, to which she replied: “If I had something in my mouth, I would have used it to kill myself by now.”
Paramedic Response: Quick Thinking in a Critical Situation
Testimony from William Pridmore-Bowen, the first paramedic on the scene, was also presented to the jury. He explained that when he arrived, his priority was to attend to Ms. Hopkin, who had suffered multiple stab wounds and was “bleeding profusely”.
The paramedic described how Ms. Hopkin was rushed to the air ambulance for further treatment. He then treated Ms. Elias and the pupil, who, although injured, did not require urgent treatment. All three were taken to the hospital for further care.
Celebrity Obsession or Mental Health Crisis?
This case raises significant questions about celebrity culture and the impact of social media on young, impressionable minds. The 14-year-old’s belief that stabbing her teachers and a fellow pupil could somehow make her famous reflects a troubling narrative that fame at any cost is an aspiration.
But beyond the glamourisation of fame, there’s a deeper question about the girl’s mental state. Her disturbing statements during her arrest and in court suggest a possible mental health crisis that may have played a role in her actions.
What Happens Next?
The girl has admitted to the triple stabbing but denies attempted murder. The trial continues, and the outcome will determine how justice is served in this shocking and tragic case.
For now, the community of Ammanford and the staff and students at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman are left to process the trauma of that day, as parents anxiously wait for updates.
Learn More:
- School lockdown protocols (Learn more about school lockdown procedures)
- Celebrity culture and youth impact (Understanding the influence of celebrity culture on young minds)
- Knife crime in schools (Knife crime statistics in schools)
- Mental health in teenagers (How to spot mental health issues in teenagers)
- Courtroom procedures (How the UK criminal justice system works)
