School stab girl considered for anti-terror programme

A TEENAGE girl who was sentenced to 15 years detention after stabbing two teachers and a pupil at her school in Ammanford was considered for referral to the anti-terror programme Prevent before the stabbing, a report has revealed.

- ELLIE GOSLEY

The 13-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had a curiosity for war memorabilia and Adolf Hitler, was fascinated with weapons and claimed to speak German and Russian.

After she was found with a knife at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, a referral to the UK Government's anti-terror scheme was discussed but not pursued.

The girl later armed herself with her father’s multi-tool and attacked teachers Fiona Elias and Liz Hopkin and a pupil in April last year.

After her arrest she told police: "That's one way to be a celebrity."

She added: "I’m pretty sure this is going to be on the news, so more eyes will be looking at me."

The teenager received a 15-year sentence in April this year at Swansea Crown Court after being convicted of three attempted murder charges.

Carmarthenshire County Council and Mid and West Wales Safeguarding Board ordered a multi-agency investigation.

An inquiry looked at the two years leading up to the attack and discovered that whilst considerable information was available about the girl - identified as Child A - it was not communicated between various agencies.

Gladys Rhodes White, the report author, said: "Child A is seen as 'quirky' and 'not quite fitting in, having unusual interests in war memorabilia, Hitler, a fascination with weapons and purporting to speak German and Russian.

"Her father describes her as loving to read, research things and having a fertile imagination, creating fantasies.