Schoolboy gets life for horror hammer attack

A PUBLIC schoolboy who launched a claw hammer attack on two sleeping pupils before trying to kill a teacher has been detained for life.

- Tom Bevan

Emergency responders described the aftermath of the brutal attacks at the £41,000-a-year Blundell's School in Tiverton, Devon, as a "bloodbath".

The 17-year-old boy claimed he was sleepwalking at the time, but was found guilty of three counts of attempted murder with the intent to kill by a majority verdict. He will serve a minimum of 12 years before parole can be considered.

During his trial at Exeter Crown Court, the jury heard how two of the victims, aged 16 and 15 at the time, suffered life-changing injuries and will never fully recover.

Smashed

Prosecutor James Dawes KC told the jury: "He smashed the hammers into their heads as they slept.