14-year-old boy who attacked girl with knife released on probation

A then-13-year-old boy, who was carrying a knife when he attacked a teenage schoolgirl, has released on probation for six months on condition he attends anger-management counselling.

The girl had been left her in tears and had blood pouring down her face from a blow, the Dublin Children’s Court had heard.

The schoolboy, who is now aged 14, had admitted possessing a knife with a five inch blade, which he had bought on a family holiday in Spain, and assaulting a 17-year-old boy, at Wendall Avenue, in Portmarnock, in north Co. Dublin, on November 10 last year.

He had been found guilty of attacking the now-17-year-old schoolgirl on the same date, which he had denied.

In evidence, the girl said she and a 16-year-old female friend had passed the teenager and two other youths. She told them to “shut up” after they made “inappropriate comments”.

The court heard they attacked and a melee ensued between some of her friends and the defendant’s group which ended when the teen took out a knife which gardaí found later that day hidden in the leg of his tracksuit trousers.

The schoolgirl and one of her friends kept away from the trouble. Afterwards she was overheard by the defendant’s group as she commented that the fight had been “stupid” at which they attacked her.

The young boy, whose father was present for the case, knocked her to the ground, she had stated. She sustained kicks to her head from another youth and when she got to her feet the teenager “punched me in the face”.

Her face was left swollen and her back and neck was sore for some time after. Her jeans had a knife cut slit into them and she had a cut on her leg. Her nose was gushing blood as she left the scene in tears.

In evidence, the boy denied attacking the girl and said he did not see her that night.

Judge Smyth had heard that the boy was in school and did not have any drink- or drug-related problems.

He noted that a pre-sentence report on the teen had recommended placing him on supervisory probation for six months on condition he engaged in anger management counselling, did not re-offend and continued to attend appointments with his probation officer.

Judge Smyth agreed to follow the report’s recommendation and told the boy that if he broke the probation bond’s conditions the case would be brought back to court which could impose a custodial sentence.