14-year-old boy jailed for stabbing fellow teenager in Worthing
The attack happened following a dispute between two groups of young people
A 14-year-old boy who stabbed a fellow teenager in Worthing earlier this year has been jailed.
The victim, who was aged 13 at the time, suffered leg and shoulder wounds in the attack in Liverpool Road on March 13th.
It happened following a verbal altercation between two groups of young people in the town centre earlier the same day.
Immediate first aid was provided by officers, and the boy was taken to hospital and later discharged.
Seven young people, none of which can be named for legal reasons, were arrested by police following a large investigation which included CCTV trawls, witness statements and drone searches
A 14-year-old boy from Worthing was charged with committing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a knife in public, and was remanded in custody.
He pleaded guilty to the offences and appeared before Lewes Crown Court on 29 September, where he was sentenced to four years in a youth offenders institute plus two years on extended licence.
Three others arrested were released with no further action; the remaining three were discounted by the Crown Prosecution Service and will also face no further action.
Chief Inspector Sarah Leadbeatter, District Commander for Adur and Worthing, said:
“This was a truly shocking incident which took place during daylight hours in the middle of a busy town centre. Thankfully for the victim, police officers were around the corner when it happened and able to offer immediate first aid.
“I hope this significant sentence sends a strong message to those willing to carry and knife and use it to inflict harm on others, that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated and we will do everything within our power to hold these people to account and ensure they are dealt with robustly.
“We continue to work closely with partners including local authorities, schools and the local community to educate people on the dangers of carrying a knife and the associated consequences.
“The defendant in this case has expressed remorse for what he has done, and I hope this sentence goes some way to making him realise the impact his actions have had on the victim, his family and the wider community."