Boy, 13, detained for triple stabbing

The youngster attacked the teenagers as they headed home from the University of Birmingham School in Selly Oak on December 10 last year. A teacher dialled 999.

The victims, two aged 14 and a 15-year-old, suffered knife injuries, one to the stomach, but all made a full recovery.

When the teenager - who cannot be named for legal reasons - was arrested, police found he had an 18-inch machete and a combat knife stashed down his trousers.

Staff responded swiftly, with two of the injured pupils being whisked to safety inside the school premises until emergency services arrived. The most seriously injured was given first aid at the scene by staff, police and paramedics.

The boy, who was arrested at an address in Northfield, Birmingham, admitted one count of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and two counts of malicious wounding. He was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court to two-and-a-half years' detention.

DC Simon Kershaw said: "The rise in violence and knife crime has been well-publicised in the media over the last few weeks.

"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.

"Nevertheless although no-one in this case died, it doesn’t make it any less tragic. Four very young lives have been damaged irreparably. 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."

The sentencing follows a two-week period of intense action directed at tackling knife violence in the city.

The force lead for knife crime Ian Parnell said: “Extra patrols and extensive stop and search powers are currently being utilised in response to recent violent incidents in the city, and officers have and will deal robustly with anyone seeking to inflict harm in our communities.

“In the long-term there is always more work to do and we will continue to build on the ongoing deterrent work, alongside other agencies, charities and the community, which is a crucial part of our long-term plan to tackle violent crime."

Anyone with information about knife crime is asked to contact police via Live Chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight, call 101 anytime or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Fearless is another point of contact, a website where teenagers and young people can access non-judgemental information and advice about crime. It also provides a safe place to give information about crime anonymously.