School attack teen received 'calling from Jesus'

The boy is accused of attacking three people at Birley Academy in Sheffield

A 17-year-old boy attacked staff and pupils at a secondary school after sharing on social media that he had received “a calling from the Lord Jesus Christ”, a court hears.

A jury at Sheffield Crown Court was told how the teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had armed himself with pieces of broken glass before entering Birley Academy in Sheffield on 1 May.

A consultant psychiatrist told the trial he was of the opinion the juvenile had been experiencing a psychotic episode at the time.

The boy denies three counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, but pleaded guilty to wounding and possession of a sharply pointed object on school premises.

Katy Rafter, prosecuting, told the court on Tuesday how the teenager had shared plans of his attack on social media on 1 May.

In a post on Reddit, he said: “Today is the day; a calling from the Lord Jesus Christ has been cast upon me.

"To do what God Almighty thinks is necessary.”

He also contacted another teenage boy on Snapchat to say he was going to do “what needs to be done” and the school “was done for”.

In the conversation, the other boy seemingly tried to deter him from his plans and urged him “to chill out”, even though he initially thought the defendant was joking.

Concerned members of the public who saw the online posts raised the alarm and informed the school and police.

Classrooms barricaded

CCTV footage played in court, showed the defendant arriving at the school at 08:48 GMT before attacking a pupil in the reception area.

Ms Rafter told the jury: “Without any warning or provocation, he attacked the girl by repeatedly stabbing the broken glass into her.”

A youth mentor and the school’s receptionist tried to intervene before they too were attacked and hit repeatedly, Ms Rafter said.

The court heard how the school went into lockdown, with classrooms barricaded and pupils in hiding.

Ms Rafter said upon his arrest, the defendant made comments about “accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour” and during an interview with police, said he had mental health issues.

The teenager, of previous good character, told officers he had hurt people but had not intended to kill anyone.

Consultant psychiatrist, Dr Nicholas Kennedy, told the court the defendant had been diagnosed with autism and had been experiencing a psychotic episode on 1 May.

Ms Rafter told the court there was no dispute that the defendant was responsible for the attack but said it was up to the jury to decide whether there had been intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The trial continues.

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