Girl who stabbed teachers fascinated by weapons and war, report says
A serious case review has found that a 13-year-old girl who stabbed two teachers and a pupil at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, Carmarthenshire, in April 2024 had displayed warning signs long before the attack — including carrying knives and a sword to school, an obsession with war memorabilia, and threats of violence.
The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was convicted of attempted murder earlier this year and sentenced to 15 years in detention.
Weapons and Obsessions Ignored
The report, led by independent reviewer Gladys Rhodes White, revealed that the teen had:
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Been found with a sword and a BB gun in her bag
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Regularly carried knives “instinctively” due to bullying
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Expressed a fascination with Hitler, war memorabilia, and foreign languages like German and Russian
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Previously threatened a student with a knife
Her father had agreed to daily bag checks, but counselling and referrals to support programmes were declined or not pursued. A referral to the UK’s Prevent anti-terror programme was considered but not taken forward.
The Attack
On 24 April 2024, the girl stabbed teacher Ms Elias with her father’s multi-tool knife, reportedly saying: “I’m going to murder you.” When another teacher, Ms Hopkin, intervened, she too was stabbed repeatedly. A 14-year-old pupil was also attacked before teacher Darrel Campbell managed to restrain the girl.
After her arrest, she reportedly told officers the attack was “one way to be a celebrity” and showed no remorse.
Troubled Background
The review said the teen had endured a fractured childhood, exposure to domestic violence, and ongoing bullying. She was noted as academically bright but socially isolated and described as “quirky.”
Although she was referred to mental health services, there was no assessment for neurodiversity, leaving questions about whether undiagnosed conditions contributed to her behaviour.
Missed Chances
The report concluded that while no agency could have predicted the violent events, there were “missed opportunities” for intervention. Agencies often worked in isolation, each holding fragments of information, but failing to build a complete picture of the girl’s escalating risks.
Ms Rhodes White issued 11 recommendations, including:
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Better inter-agency data sharing
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Stronger tracking of children waiting for mental health assessments or support
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Ensuring schools and local services have the resources and capacity to respond to complex needs
Response
In a joint statement, Dyfed-Powys Police, Carmarthenshire Council, Hywel Dda Health Board, and Ysgol Dyffryn Aman said they accepted the findings and would work together on an action plan.
The Mid and West Wales Safeguarding Children’s Board took the unusual step of publishing the report in full, citing a need for transparency and lessons to be learned.
