Selly Oak stabbings: Boy sentenced for attack near school

Three teenage boys were stabbed outside the University of Birmingham School on 10 December

A 13-year-old boy has been sentenced to two and a half years in a young offenders' institute for his role in a multiple stabbing outside of a school.

Two 14-year-old boys and a 15-year-old needed hospital treatment for the attack near University of Birmingham School in Selly Oak on 10 December.

The defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Birmingham Crown Court earlier.

He had previously admitted two charges of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

At a previous hearing the boy also pleaded guilty to one charge of of wounding with intent.

West Midlands Police said the three victims continued to "carry the physical and psychological scars of their attack".

The attack happened just before 16:20 GMT at the end of the school day.

Two 14-year-olds and a 13-year-old also arrested have been bailed while investigations continue.

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In a statement released following sentencing, Det Con Simon Kershaw said: "This case clearly highlights the shocking reality of young people carrying knives into violent situations.

"A boy, aged just 13, felt the need to arm himself with a deadly weapon and used it to harm not one, but three other teenagers.

"It is only by a stroke of luck that all three victims made a full recovery and did not become yet another knife murder statistic.

"The three victims carry the physical and psychological scars of their attack and the defendant has been jailed for more than two years, considering his youth. There are no winners here."