Judge called boy, 14, a 'bright lad' and spared him jail after he stabbed girl 10 times, transcripts reveal
Judge Ian Lawrie, who handed the 14-year-old attacker a 12-month referral order after ruling prison was the "last place" he should be, despite the boy stabbing his victim at least 10 times.Gloucester Crown Court, where judge Ian Lawrie sparked outrage by sparing the 14-year-old attacker a custodial sentence despite his victim being stabbed at least 10 times with a six-inch kitchen knife.
Judge Ian Lawrie KC told the boy his "solid family background" meant custody was the "last place" he should be, despite admitting the attack showed "behaviour dysfunctionality which causes me grave concern." The 14-year-old had stalked the girl after she refused to date him, then waited armed outside a Cirencester shop before stabbing her at least 10 times with a six-inch kitchen knife in March, also wounding the shopkeeper who tried to intervene.
The girl's mother said: 'Does somebody actually have to die to get justice? He's now free to walk the streets.'
The boy received only a 12-month referral order and a three-year restraining order after admitting wounding with intent and GBH.
Parents of girls killed by ex-boyfriends called the sentence 'appalling' and 'misogynistic', as the Ministry of Justice said it is reviewing youth court sentencing law.
