A court has been told that a teacher, who was reportedly stabbed in the head by a student, continues to experience the fear of death daily from the traumatic incident. The accused, a 16-year-old individual whose identity is protected by law, has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to murder Vicki Williams at Milford Haven Comprehensive School in Pembrokeshire back in February. The defendant, who was 15 years old at the time of the alleged assault, is currently facing trial at Swansea Crown Court for the attack on his teacher.
During the trial’s second day, the jury listened to testimony from Ms. Williams, recounting how she rushed to seek medical assistance immediately after the incident, convinced that her life was in danger. It was revealed in court that the student approached her desk on the afternoon of February 5, asking for help with his work. Ms. Williams became alarmed when he closed the classroom door, claiming he felt cold. Subsequently, the student took out a large kitchen knife from his bag and struck her in the head, leading to a violent struggle as she attempted to disarm him before he fled the school premises.
In the courtroom, the defense counsel, Matthew Roberts KC, suggested to Ms. Williams that her injuries occurred during a scuffle when she tried to take the knife from the student. However, Ms. Williams refuted these claims, stating that the events did not unfold as described by the defense. The barrister questioned why Ms. Williams did not secure herself in the classroom after the student left, to which she explained that she was in a state of shock, fearing for her life and urgently needing help.
The court also heard that Ms. Williams sustained a scalp wound, scratches on her back, and minor cuts on her hands, as confirmed by medical examination at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest. A safeguarding lead at the school, Catherine Wilcox, described the distressing state in which she found Ms. Williams following the attack. The accused denies charges of attempted murder, unlawful wounding, and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, with the trial ongoing.
