A 17-year-old from Swindon has pleaded guilty to his involvement in a stabbing incident in Royal Wootton Bassett earlier this year.
The teenager, whose identity cannot be revealed for legal reasons, admitted to charges of grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent following the incident on June 3rd, which left a 16-year-old with a serious stab wound.
The altercation occurred in the New Road area, where two victims encountered three male teenagers they were familiar with. A physical confrontation ensued, during which one of the victims, a 16-year-old boy, was stabbed in the back, requiring seven stitches. The Swindon teenager also pleaded guilty to attempted GBH against a second teenager and possession of a bladed article in a public place.
Two other teenagers involved in the attack, a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old, both from Royal Wootton Bassett, have also pleaded guilty to the same charges. While the Swindon teenager remains in custody, the other two have been granted conditional bail. All three are due to be sentenced on September 18th.
Detective Constable Chris Hemns commented on the severity of the incident, saying, “There can be no place for incidents like this in Wiltshire. Knife crime has a profound impact on our communities, and we are dedicated to targeting those who carry knives. Even one incident involving a knife is too many.”
DC Hemns continued by urging young people to reconsider carrying knives, noting the long-term consequences of such actions. “We are working tirelessly with partners to tackle the root causes of knife crime, but this issue requires a united effort from the police, community leaders, and parents alike.”
The sentencing of the three teenagers will be closely monitored, as Wiltshire Police continues its work to address knife crime and its consequences.
