A teenager has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 12 years after being found guilty of attempted murder for attacking two sleeping students and a teacher with hammers at a private school in Devon. The 17-year-old, armed with three claw hammers, waited for the two boys to be asleep before carrying out the brutal attacks at Blundell’s school in Tiverton.
During the trial at Exeter crown court, it was revealed that the boy, who was 16 at the time of the attacks, had collected the weapons in preparation for a “zombie apocalypse.” He wore only boxer shorts during the attacks and admitted assaulting the two boys and the housemaster, although he claimed to be sleepwalking.
The judge, Mrs Justice Cutts, criticized the boy for his deliberate intent to kill the victims, stating that they could not defend themselves and were badly hurt. Despite the boy’s defense of experiencing an autism spectrum disorder, which he rejected, the judge emphasized that he knew the difference between right and wrong and had planned the attacks in advance.
The judge highlighted the high level of danger the boy posed to the public and the uncertainty of whether he would cease to be a threat in the future. The two students who were attacked suffered severe injuries including skull fractures, rib, spleen, and lung injuries, as well as internal bleeding. The housemaster, who intervened during the attacks, sustained multiple blows to his head.
The defendant’s claims of sleepwalking were rejected by the jury, who found him guilty of three counts of attempted murder. The victims, although living with the long-term consequences of the attacks, had no memory of the traumatic event.
The court proceedings revealed the disturbing nature of the attacks and the serious impact on the victims and the school community. The sentencing of the teenager to life in prison reflects the severity of his actions and the need to protect the public from potential future violence.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing mental health issues and providing appropriate support to individuals who may be at risk of harming themselves or others. It also highlights the critical role of intervention and swift action in preventing tragic incidents such as this from occurring in the future.
