October 18th 2024.
A teenage boy has been found guilty of attempted murder and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 12 years after attacking two fellow students and a teacher at Blundell's School in Tiverton. The 16-year-old, who cannot be named, had armed himself with three hammers and attacked the victims while they were asleep in their beds. The incident, which occurred in June last year, left the two students with serious injuries and the teacher with multiple blows to the head.
The court heard that the defendant, who was only wearing boxer shorts at the time of the attack, had collected the weapons as part of his preparation for a zombie apocalypse. He admitted to assaulting the two boys and the housemaster, but claimed to be sleepwalking at the time. However, the jury rejected this defense and found him guilty of three counts of attempted murder.
During the trial, it was revealed that the defendant had an obsession with one of the boys and a fascination with hammers and killing. The prosecution argued that he had planned the attack and was fully conscious at the time, as evidenced by his use of an iPad just before the incident. The housemaster also described the defendant's demeanor as being on a mission.
Experts were called to testify, with one stating that the defendant's actions were consistent with sleepwalking, while another disagreed and believed he was fully conscious. The defendant himself expressed remorse for his actions and apologized to the victims and their families.
In sentencing, Mrs. Justice Cutts deemed the defendant to be dangerous and stated that only a life sentence could protect the public from further harm. She acknowledged that he knew the difference between right and wrong and had planned the attack, obtaining the hammers with the intent to kill.
After the sentencing, Detective Inspector Dave Egan commended the hard work of the detectives in proving that the attack was premeditated and not a result of sleepwalking. He described the incident as an unprovoked and brutal attack, with the intention to kill.
The families of the victims also gave statements, expressing their gratitude to the school community, paramedics, and medical staff who aided in their sons' recoveries. They also thanked the police and prosecution for their professionalism and thoroughness in handling the case. They now hope to move on from this horrific event and focus on their sons' future recoveries.
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