A teenager obsessed with serial killers who stabbed a girl in his school in an unprovoked attack was convicted of attempted murder today.
The boy, who also had dark thoughts about his 'hatred for women', was 15 when he approached his innocent victim in a corridor while wearing a mask and plunged the blade into her back.
The attack sparked a desperate hunt for the assailant, who escaped after running from the scene and leapt over a gate while being chased by a teacher.
Thorpe St Andrew School near Norwich in Norfolk was kept in lockdown for several hours until armed police located the suspect, who can’t be named for legal reasons. Worried parents congregated outside after hearing about the incident on social media.
The ensuing investigation revealed a ‘dangerous interest in killers and killing’, after he was found to have used an app to create disturbing videos, including one showing serial killers Ed Kemper and Ted Bundy 'dancing over a still image of the globe’.
Notes found by police appeared to show a motive, which the boy described as ‘misanthropy, misogyny, suicide, bullying’.
Armed police arrest the suspect following the knife attack at Thorpe St Andrew School near Norwich
The teenager admitted grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a bladed article but denied attempted murder.
The jury at King’s Lynn Crown Court retired yesterday to consider their verdict and took less than four hours in total to reach their unanimous verdict this morning, following the two-week trial.
The teenager who was wearing a grey sweatshirt showed no reaction as he sat in the glass fronted dock flanked by two security guards and a woman intermediary who was at his side throughout the trial.
The verdict was also greeted with silence by members of the public, including relatives of the boy, who were in the public gallery.
Mr Justice Lickley KC had earlier called for people in the gallery to show ‘no reaction’ and treat the verdict with ‘respect’.
He adjourned sentencing until December 18 at King’s Lynn Crown Court to allow reports to be prepared.
Mr Justice Lickley said: ‘I am going to order a pre sentence-report and the court will assess the issue of dangerousness.’
A classroom is checked by police after the school was placed in lockdown
Addressing the teenager, the judge told him: ‘You have been found guilty by the jury of the offence of attempted murder. I am sure you understand how serious that is.
‘I won’t pass sentence today. I will be passing sentence on December 18 when reports will be available at that time. I am sure you will understand that, not only will I have to pass a custodial sentence, but one of considerable length.’
The boy's collection of twisted videos made on the CapCut app also included a video compilation of BBC series The Fall’s twisted killer, Paul Spector.
Another showed Dexter Morgan, a serial killer vigilante from the long-running US programme Dexter, ‘dancing over a map of Florida with a list of names of the victims’.
Suffolk Strangler Steve Wright, who killed five prostitutes from Ipswich in 2006, was also referenced.
The court heard the boy had also written that he had 'seen killers being admired, I want admiration, gratification. I've wanted this for years. I don't care who I hurt. Not anymore’.
Other notes found at his bedroom described how ‘the idea of violence or possibly even murder sparks something in me’.
Worried families waited outside after hearing about the incident
Teachers barricaded doors while officers hunted for the teenager
Officers look for evidence following the attack on May 11 this year
One appeared to outline a plan for multiple murders. It said: ‘I really want to do it, really bad. I hate having to wait… but I have to wait. I need a plan…
‘I want at least two, maybe three. I’d be proud of five.’
And a suicide note found pinned to his wall said bleakly: ‘My barren world. Hello to all readers out there in the UK and perhaps the world. If you’re reading this, I’m either dead or in custody.’
The defendant, who is now 16, continued: ‘My resentment for myself and others has only grown throughout my existence. I thought it got better. I tried to make it better.
‘But I see it in people's eyes. The disgust. Perhaps it's reflection of me? No. My reflection is what fuels their hatred. Ever since the failure of a relationship, my hatred for women has fuelled.
‘A girl I've never met before said something degrading to me the other day. I wanted to cut that ugly bitch's throat. And her retarded little slut friend.
‘They're nothing but fools that know nothing about life or feelings. Am I evil for that? Probably. Am I an incel? A misogynist? No. I just have good judgement.’
School CCTV footage played in court during the trial showed the defendant approach his 15-year-old victim on May 11 and strike her in the left of her back near her shoulder blade with the knife.
He then ran away, pursued by the brave teacher, leaving behind a glove.
The victim, also aged 15, was treated at hospital for an injury to her shoulder but was discharged the following day
When he was arrested by police shortly afterwards, his backpack is said to have contained the other glove, the mask and a black woollen hat. He directed officers to the knife he used.
His victim escaped with minor injuries by 'sheer luck', prosecutor Chris Paxton KC said, and was released from hospital the following day.
In a recorded interview, she described how she thought he had punched her at first and began walking away, only starting to sprint when a teacher ‘screamed’ at her.
Giving evidence in court, she added she didn't know her attacker and had never even seen him before.
The trial heard the defendant had a kitchen knife from home in November last year and later went to his mother to confess he was ‘feeling down and had intended to hurt himself but he chickened out’.
This followed a personal issue he was dealing with and help was sought from his school. He also agreed to have counselling.
In his opening speech, prosecutor Mr Paxton said the schoolboy – who ‘remained silent’ during his police interview – had 'an intention to kill'.
'That is why he had a knife, that is why he approached her from behind, that is why he stabbed her in the back, bringing the knife up and back before striking it into her,' he said.
‘Further, we say his intention is made plain not just by those moments of the stabbing but by his notes, and his obsession with killing, and being fuelled by hatred.’
Mr Paxton today said victim impact statements would be prepared for the sentencing, along with a report on the ‘wider impact on the school community’.