Boy's face showed 'pure hatred' as he attacked teacher with knife, court hears

A teenager had a face of "pure hatred" as he launched at his teacher with a large kitchen knife after following her into an empty classroom, a court has heard.

History teacher Vicki Williams was left with injuries to her head, back and hands after the incident on 5 February at Milford Haven Comprehensive School in Pembrokeshire.

A 16-year-old boy who cannot be named due to his age denies attempted murder, wounding with intent and unlawful wounding, but previously admitted possessing a knife.

On the first day of the trial at Swansea Crown Court, a jury heard the boy had gone to Williams' classroom at the end of the school day to ask for help with history work.

Christopher Rees KC, prosecuting, told the jury the boy had closed the door behind him – which was also shown on CCTV – and was holding on to his bag.

The jury heard that the 16-year-old searched through his bag while he asked his teacher about his work, before he "launched" at her with the knife and stabbed her in her head.

"She grabbed it, but he was trying to use it again," Rees said.

"He pushed her back into her chair. She had her legs up and she screamed for help."

The court also heard that, as the attack was happening, Williams thought "I hope that's not a knife because I'm dead".

Williams described the look on the boy's face as "pure hatred", adding she "had never seen anything like it".

The jury heard how she fought the boy off by holding his arm and the knife.

They then saw CCTV footage which showed him running out of the classroom about two minutes later, with Williams exiting the room with the knife in her hand.

A colleague, who had come to check what was happening, described Williams' screams as "gut-wrenching".

The police and emergency services were called and the school was placed in temporary lockdown and was closed the following day.

Williams suffered several injuries, including a 7cm (2.8 in) wound to her lower back, and was taken to Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest.

The boy was later arrested at his grandmother's house.

Rees said the prosecution's case was that the incident was "a deliberate act to kill", while the defence would argue it was an accident.

The trial continues.