A 16-year-old boy accused of stabbing a fellow pupil at a school near Norwich had allegedly written notes about violence, suicide, misogyny and his interest in notorious killers, a court has heard.
The defendant, who was 15 at the time of the March 11 incident at Thorpe St Andrew School in Norfolk, is on trial at King’s Lynn Crown Court for attempted murder.
He cannot be named because of his age.
Prosecution says written material could reveal motive
Prosecutor Chris Paxton KC told the jury that police searching the teenager’s bedroom after his arrest discovered notes that appeared to contain his thoughts about violence, relationships, bullying and his own feelings.
One document allegedly began by addressing anyone who might eventually read it, suggesting that the writer believed he could either be dead or in custody by that time.
The prosecution said the writings described growing resentment towards himself and other people, alongside what the defendant allegedly characterised as hatred towards women following the breakdown of a relationship.
Alleged interest in notorious killers
The court has previously heard that the teenager had developed what prosecutors described as a “dangerous interest” in serial killers and killing.
Police allegedly found material involving notorious murderers, including Ted Bundy and Steve Wright. The jury was also shown details of videos allegedly created by the defendant featuring fictional and real-life killers.
One video reportedly featured Ed Kemper and Bundy, while another was said to have referenced Paul Spector, the fictional murderer from the BBC series The Fall.
A separate video allegedly featured Dexter Morgan, the fictional serial killer vigilante from the television series Dexter.
Notes allegedly referred to plans for violence
Jurors were told that other writings allegedly found at the family home contained references to the defendant wanting to commit acts of violence.
The prosecution said one note described an urge to carry out a violent act and suggested that the writer had been thinking about it for some time.
Another piece of writing reportedly described a fictional stabbing, while other material allegedly referred to the possibility of killing multiple people.
The prosecution also highlighted an alleged statement in which the teenager wrote about being attracted to chaos, blood and murder and wanting the kind of admiration he believed some killers received.
Victim says she did not know her attacker
The girl who was stabbed told police in a recorded interview that she did not recognise the attacker and had never met him before.
She described feeling a hand on her shoulder before initially believing she had been punched.
She then realised she had been stabbed and began moving towards safety. The court heard that she experienced weakness and numbness and later felt significant pain in her back.
School staff helped by applying pressure to the injury before she was taken to hospital.
The girl was treated for a wound near her left shoulder blade and was released from hospital the following day.
Teacher pursued masked attacker
The incident prompted a police response and the school was placed into lockdown as officers searched for the suspect.
CCTV footage shown to the jury allegedly captured the defendant running away from the school and climbing over a gate. He reportedly left one glove behind while escaping.
When he was arrested shortly afterwards, his backpack allegedly contained the other glove, a mask and a black woollen hat.
The court has also heard that he later directed police to the location of the knife used in the attack.
Earlier incident involving a kitchen knife
The prosecution also referred to an earlier incident in November last year, when the teenager allegedly took a kitchen knife and later told his mother that he had been feeling low and had considered harming himself.
The court heard that this followed a personal difficulty and that the school became involved after the incident.
The teenager subsequently agreed to receive counselling.
Defendant accepts stabbing but denies attempted murder
Mr Paxton told the jury that the defendant had admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing a bladed article, but had denied attempted murder.
The prosecutor said the central issue for the jury was therefore the defendant’s intention at the time of the attack.
According to the prosecution case, the teenager deliberately approached the girl from behind and used the knife in a manner that demonstrated an intention to kill.
Mr Paxton argued that the alleged writings and the defendant’s interest in killing were also relevant to determining what he intended when the stabbing occurred.
Defendant remained silent during police interview
The jury was also told that the teenager remained silent during his police interview.
The prosecution’s case is that the circumstances surrounding the attack, together with the material allegedly recovered from his home, demonstrate an intention to kill rather than simply cause injury.
The defence position on that issue will be considered as the trial progresses.
Trial continues at King’s Lynn Crown Court
The case remains before the jury, which will ultimately have to determine whether the prosecution has proved the attempted murder allegation beyond reasonable doubt.
The trial is continuing at King’s Lynn Crown Court.
