UK judge frees 14-year-old boy who stabbed girl 10 times, calls him ‘bright lad’

A British judge has spared a 14-year-old boy a custodial sentence after he stabbed a teenage girl up to 10 times for rejecting his romantic advances.

According to the Daily Mail, the attack occurred at a shop in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, where the boy assaulted the girl with a six-inch kitchen knife.

A shopkeeper who attempted to intervene was also stabbed during the incident.

The teenager pleaded guilty to wounding with intent, causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing a bladed article in public.

However, Judge Ian Lawrie KC, sitting at Gloucester Crown Court, described the defendant as a “bright lad” and said custody was the “last place” for him.

The court subsequently imposed a 12-month referral order and a three-year restraining order.

The victim reportedly suffered psychological trauma following the attack, while her mother condemned the sentence as disgraceful.

The decision has sparked concerns over the handling of serious knife crimes involving young offenders.