Live Desk · monitoring

Boy, 14, spared further custody after repeatedly stabbing schoolgirl and injuring shopkeeper

A 14-year-old boy who repeatedly stabbed a schoolgirl and injured a shopkeeper who tried to protect her received a 12-month referral order and a three-year restraining order. The teenager had admitted attacking the girl inside a Cirencester shop in March. His sentence was imposed in September, with renewed attention this week following reports of the judge’s remarks about keeping him out of custody.

By John Davidson · Cirencester, Gloucestershire — 28 October 2026

Illustrative scene showing police outside a British corner shop. This does not depict the actual Cirencester incident.

A 14-year-old boy who repeatedly stabbed a schoolgirl inside a Cirencester shop and injured a shopkeeper who intervened was given a 12-month referral order and a three-year restraining order.

The teenager, from Wiltshire, admitted wounding with intent, inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent and possessing a bladed article in a public place. He was sentenced on 21 September at Bristol Crown Court, sitting as a youth court.

The case has attracted renewed attention following reports that Judge Ian Lawrie KC described the boy as a “bright lad” and said custody was the “last place” he should be.

Boy Followed Girl Into Cirencester Shop With Knife

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had become fixated on the 14-year-old girl after she rejected his advances. He used fake social media accounts to contact her before the attack on 15 March.

He waited near a shop in Cirencester before following her inside with a kitchen knife concealed in his jeans pocket. He grabbed her and struck her repeatedly.

A shopkeeper tried to pull him away from the girl. The teenager struck the man in the back with the knife before the girl escaped and sought help at a neighbouring property.

Injuries Sustained and Knife Recovered by Police

She suffered cuts to her neck, hands and face, together with bruising to her back. The shopkeeper sustained a cut to his back.

Police found the boy nearby with a knife in his pocket and a fresh cut to his hand.

Although posts circulating online describe the girl being stabbed ten times, police were unable to confirm the exact number of times the knife struck her. Reporting of the CCTV described up to ten apparent stabbing movements.

Time in Custody and the Judge’s Remarks

The teenager had spent approximately three months in custody before sentencing. Judge Lawrie said he remained capable of learning and did not consider him a danger.

Victim Describes Lasting Fear

In her statement to the court, the girl described nightmares, fear of going outside alone and difficulty trusting people. She said she flinched when someone raised a hand near her and continued to relive the attack.

Mother Criticises Sentence as Ministry of Justice Reviews Law

Her mother has criticised the sentence and said the family feels failed by the justice system.

The Ministry of Justice said the sentence could not be referred to the Court of Appeal through the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme because the case was dealt with as a youth court matter. It said it was reviewing how the law could better protect victims in youth courts.

Davidson Press will update this Live Desk following any confirmed development concerning the sentence or further official statement.