Charge amended for boy accused of stabbing teenager

Police attended an address in Sittingbourne following reports of an injured teenager

A 12-year-old boy who was accused of attempted murder in connection with a stabbing incident in Kent has had his charge changed to wounding with intent.

Police were called to reports of a 15-year-old girl suffering injuries consistent with a knife wound at an address in Sittingbourne at 15.55 GMT on 22 March.

The youth appeared by video link for a preliminary hearing at Maidstone Crown Court where he was informed of the change in charge.

Judge Julian Smith ordered the case be remitted to the youth court with a further hearing to be held at Medway Magistrates' Court at a later date.

The judge told the defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons: "You came to this court because of the charge you faced which was an attempted murder charge.

"Because that charge isn't the charge you face any more, it has been changed to wounding with intent - it's still very serious but not as serious as attempted murder - this case has to follow a different path.

"So I'm going to send your case back to the youth court at Medway and they will decide what to do with it."

He ordered the youth to remain in custody.

A previous hearing of the case was told that the girl was airlifted to King's College Hospital, in London, where she underwent surgery to her chest and abdomen.