A teenage boy has been charged with two stabbings in Wiltshire over the past three months.
The 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court this afternoon charged with two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent, two counts of possession of a knife and affray.
Prosecutor Pauline Lambert alleged that on 29 October last year, the defendant sliced both wrists of a teenage boy near the Link Centre in Swindon and stabbed him in the abdomen.
The victim in the case suffered “significant lacerations to both arms which sliced through all layers of the skin and tissue”. The puncture wound was considered less serious as it did not hit any internal organs.
Police officers had to apply a tourniquet to stem the flow of blood and save the boy’s life. He can no longer move one of his arms as he should and has undergone plastic surgery in theatre at Bristol Children’s Hospital.
He was released on bail following his arrest for the alleged stabbing.
On New Year’s Day 2023, a different teenage boy was stabbed with a machete near New Road Park in Royal Wootton Bassett at around 4pm.
A dog walker called 999 when she walked into an alleyway, where she claims to have seen two groups of males approaching each other armed with large machetes.
One of the males – the victim in his case – slipped and fell to the ground, where he was knifed repeatedly as he raised his arms over his head to try and protect himself.
It’s alleged the defendant inflicted a “significant wound” to his bottom, a stab wound to the centre of his back and another to his face.
He also faces two charges of witness intimidation relating to the Link Centre attack – where he’s alleged to have contacted the victim via Snapchat.
District Judge Joanna Dickens retained the case at Swindon Magistrates’ Court due to the age of the defendants and the witnesses involved. She said the youth court would be better placed to deal with any future trial.
It’s likely the case would be sent to Swindon Crown Court for sentencing if the defendant is convicted.
No pleas were entered during today’s hearing and the defendant was remanded into secure accommodation. He will next appear in court via video link on 11 January.
The defendant’s mother – who attended in support – shouted “love you” as he was taken down from the dock.
