School knife attacker referred to children's reporter

A 15-year-old girl who attacked a 12-year-old girl with a knife at an Aberdeen school has been referred to the children's hearing system.

The teenager - who cannot be named due to her age - previously admitted assault to the danger of life, after the incident at Hazlehead Academy last year.

The victim was taken to Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital for treatment and was later released.

At Aberdeen Sheriff Court, Sheriff Craig Findlater said he was satisfied that it was appropriate to remit the case to the children's hearing system rather than the girl being in the adult justice system.

The sheriff added that it was "obviously a highly upsetting case".

The father of the injured girl said he was pleased to see the attacker had "admitted the wrongdoing".

The incident happened on the morning of 24 April last year at the school in Aberdeen's Groats Road.

The attacker was 14 at the time of the offence.

She admitted repeatedly striking the other girl on the head with a knife to her severe injury, permanent disfigurement and to the danger of her life.

She also admitted being in possession of a knife on the same day.

Fiscal depute Rebecca Thompson said the victim was struck by the knife with force to the cheek and then twice more to the face.

She needed stitches and then plastic surgery and laser treatment.

She said the attack had a "profound impact" on the victim.

Defence counsel Scot Dignan said the teenager had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

"This was a concerning but isolated incident," he said.

Sheriff Findlater said schools were a place of learning and safety, and crimes involving a weapon caused considerable alarm in the community.

He said there was a clear and careful recommendation that referring the case to the children's hearing system was the most appropriate way forward.

In a statement via law firm Digby Brown, the victim's father said: "Schools should be safe environments and no parent, child or teacher should ever expect to have to deal with the prospect of attacks with weapons.

"Our daughter was significantly affected by this attack and her recovery remains our ongoing priority."

An Aberdeen City Council spokesperson said: "We continue to support the school community."