Girl accused of attempted murders at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman school carried a knife since 'Year 3 or 4', trial hears
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denies the attempted murder of two teachers and a pupil at the school in Carmarthenshire.
Monday 7 October 2024 16:38, UK
A teenage girl accused of the attempted murder of two teachers and a pupil says she told police the stabbings were "one way to be a celebrity" to "bring up the mood".
Teachers Fiona Elias and Liz Hopkin and a pupil were injured after being stabbed at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Carmarthenshire on 24 April.
The jury has been told the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has previously pleaded guilty to three counts of wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article on a school premises, but she denies attempted murder.
Asked by the prosecution why she made the comments in the back of a police van, she said she was trying to "bring up the mood, I suppose".
"Honestly, it was supposed to be some sort of a joke," she added.
The teenage defendant said she "used to harm [herself] and bring a knife to school".
Asked how old she was when she started bringing a knife to school, she said: "I don't remember how old I was, but I remember being in Year 3 or 4."
The teenager said she "wasn't very fond" of Mrs Elias and did not "usually" get on with her.
Giving evidence in front of the jury on Monday, she said she would behave in a "very cheeky, irresponsible" way toward Mrs Elias.
Asked about a drawing she had made referring to "Mrs Frog Face Elias", the teenager said it was "a nickname everyone around school knew her as".
"I would say stuff like I'd want to punch her and slap her," she said.
"I wish she was never here. I wish she was hurt."
But she said she never intended to kill Mrs Elias, adding: "I'd never wish anyone to be dead.
"I would say it was more of showing off in front of my friends more than anything."
In September 2023, the defendant was suspended from school after bringing a "kitchen knife", used for "cutting vegetables", with her.
"I completely forgot it was in my bag," she said.
She said she had it as she was "going to carve [her] name in a tree" over the summer holidays.
Mrs Elias found the knife in her bag and, after her suspension, her dad "started checking [her] bag daily" for knives.
She said she would put the fishing multi-tool used in the attack "in [her] pocket".
Asked if her father searched her for any knives, she added: "I believe he trusted me enough not to."
Despite being told not to take a knife to school, she continued to do so because she "felt worried and scared".
She said she didn't "trust the system, the people".
'One way to be a celebrity'
The defendant described the attack and said she doesn't remember "seeing or hearing anything".
"I ran over to a friend to see if she would calm me down 'cause she has this ability to calm me down because that's the kind of effect people I trust have on me," she said.
"I remember her saying 'Think of your dad, think of your family, think of your brother'.
"I tried to breathe slowly, but it didn't work."
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When sat in a teacher's office after the incident concluded, the defendant said she felt "empty and relieved".
"I felt like I didn't have anything on my mind anymore," she added.
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The defendant said she felt "terrible" when she asked police if Mrs Elias, Mrs Hopkin and the pupil were dead.
"I asked if they were dead because I saw someone get pushed into the helicopter," she added.
When asked by the defence if she regretted how she behaved, she said she did, adding: "I'd do anything to go back".
The trial continues.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.