The trial of a 14-year-old girl accused of attempting to murder two teachers and a pupil at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, has collapsed due to what the judge described as a “great irregularity in the jury.”
On 24 April, teachers Fiona Elias and Liz Hopkin, along with a pupil, were hospitalized following a stabbing incident at the school. While the girl pleaded guilty to three counts of wounding with intent, she denied the three counts of attempted murder.
The jury at Swansea Crown Court began deliberating on Tuesday, but by Wednesday, Judge Paul Thomas KC discharged the jury, stating that the trial had been “irretrievably compromised” due to an issue within the jury. He expressed disappointment at having to discharge the jury, particularly for the 14-year-old, who will now face a retrial on 27 January.
The judge did not elaborate on the nature of the jury irregularity, but one juror was asked to stay behind after the public left the courtroom.
The incident, which occurred on school grounds, prompted a swift response from emergency services, including two air ambulance helicopters. Although all three victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries, Ms. Hopkin, who was stabbed in the neck, required an airlift to the hospital. The school was immediately locked down and remained closed the following day as investigations continued.
Dyfed-Powys Police urged the public to refrain from speculating on the details of the case while the proceedings remain active, and stated that it would not comment further at this stage.
As the case moves towards retrial, the focus remains on understanding how this tragic event occurred and ensuring that justice is served for all involved.