Teen found guilty of attempted murder of girl, 14

The attack took place near the A63 last November

A 15-year-old boy has been found guilty of the attempted murder of a 14-year-old girl with a samurai-style sword during a Halloween camping trip.

Hull Crown Court heard the victim, who was staying near the A63 in East Yorkshire at the time, suffered 10 wounds, including damage to a lung and her liver.

The defendant, who cannot be named due to his age, had pleaded not guilty to attempted murder but had admitted wounding with intent and possessing a bladed weapon.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on 4 April.

The jury previously heard the girl was attacked while on the trip with a group of friends near the Humber Bridge on 1 November.

Prosecutor David Lamb KC told the court during the six-day trial that the defendant's behaviour before, during and after the attack "showed he meant to kill".

He said a row broke out between the victim and another girl, leading to the victim wanting to leave.

Another boy was showing her the way home through the wood when the defendant ran after them and told the other boy to go, the prosecution said.

Mr Lamb claimed this was part of a plan to isolate the victim from the others.

He told the jury the defendant had pretended to go the toilet before he produced the sword from his waistband and began the attack, saying: "I'm sorry I have to do this."

The court heard claims that the boy was offered £20 by one of the friends to attack the girl following an argument.

Asked by defence barrister David Godfrey about the attack, the boy said he "just wanted to hurt" the victim.

The prosecution said it was his decision to stab her not just once but 10 times.

"It was his intention to kill her," Mr Lamb said.

A forensic pathologist's report said the victim "was extremely fortunate not to have lost her life as a result of the assault", he added.

'Lucky to be alive'

A motorist contacted police after finding the teenage girl at the side of the A63 in Hessle at 06:50 GMT.

Det Supt Simon Vickers said: "This was an unnecessary and sustained attack on a young, innocent and defenceless teenage girl who is lucky to be alive.

"The level of injuries that she sustained were brutal and I cannot begin to imagine the sheer strength and determination that it must have taken for her to navigate away from her attacker and seek help from members of the public."

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