Ysgol Dyffryn Aman: 'Compromised' jury discharged in trial of girl accused of attempted murders at school
The judge at Swansea Crown Court discharges the jury and sets a date for a second trial in the new year.
Wednesday 9 October 2024 14:06, UK
The jury has been discharged in the trial of a girl accused of attempting to murder two teachers and a pupil at a school in Wales.
A student, and teachers Fiona Elias and Liz Hopkin, were treated in hospital after police were called to reports of a stabbing at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, on 24 April.
The accused girl denied three counts of attempted murder and was standing trial at Swansea Crown Court.
On Wednesday morning, the judge discharged the jury and said there had been a "great irregularity" within it which had "irretrievably compromised" its ability to consider the matter.
He said he was discharging the jury with the "greatest of possible reluctance".
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, sat in court throughout the six-day trial.
Discharging the jury, Judge Paul Thomas thanked the jurors for their participation in the trial and apologised for discharging them.
The judge set a date for a re-trial on 27 January.
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A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said "it would not be appropriate for us to comment any further" as legal proceedings were still active.
"We would like to remind people that the teenager accused of three counts of attempted murder cannot be named for legal reasons," they added.
"We urge people not to speculate on the details of the case, nor to share footage or material which could prejudice the case or cause further distress to those involved."