A court heard the account of a teacher who recalls feeling like she was facing death every day after allegedly being stabbed in the head by a student. The 16-year-old defendant, who remains unidentified due to legal reasons, has entered a not guilty plea to the charge of attempting to murder Vicki Williams at Milford Haven Comprehensive School in Pembrokeshire in February. The incident, involving a 15-year-old boy at the time, is being tried at Swansea Crown Court for the alleged attack on his teacher.
During the trial’s second day, Ms. Williams testified that she immediately sought medical assistance post the incident because she believed her life was in jeopardy. The court was informed that the student had approached her desk on the afternoon of February 5 under the pretense of reviewing his work. Ms. Williams became alarmed when he closed the classroom door, claiming he was cold.
Subsequently, the student produced a large kitchen knife from his bag and assaulted her. A physical struggle ensued as Ms. Williams attempted to disarm him before he fled from the school premises. The defense counsel, Matthew Roberts KC, challenged Ms. Williams’ account, suggesting that she sustained injuries during a scuffle while trying to retrieve the knife from the student, which she refuted.
Questioned about why she did not secure herself in the classroom after the assailant left, Ms. Williams explained that she was preoccupied with seeking help as she believed she had been fatally wounded. The defense lawyer highlighted the student’s initial demeanor as polite and respectful, to which Ms. Williams concurred but stressed that the situation escalated only when the knife was revealed.
The court previously learned that Ms. Williams received medical treatment for a scalp wound, back scratches, and minor hand injuries at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest. A school safeguarding lead, Catherine Wilcox, described the distressing sight of Ms. Williams post-incident. The accused denies charges of attempted murder, unlawful wounding, and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The trial is ongoing.