[News] Awful news coming in from Southport.

[TomandJerry]

Merseyside police chief constable Serena Kennedy said a 17-year-old boy from Banks, Lancashire, had been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder over the “ferocious attack”.

Merseyside police said the attacker “walked into the premises and started to attack” the children that had attended the dance class event.

Chief constable Serena Kennedy told a press conference this evening that the two adults in critical condition were understood to have sustained injuries while trying to protect the children."

She added that nine others were injured, including six left in a critical condition.

In addition two adults are also in critical condition. All injuries were as a result of stab wounds."

I wonder what could have caused a 17 year old to act in such a way?

 

[DavidRyder]

A Taylor Swift themed dance class, what should have been a fun start of the holidays for innocent children and adults. I can’t begin to imagine what the families are going through. I just hope that the perpetrator is given the severest sentence possible.

 

[Right Brain Ronnie]

Absolutely dreadful and shocking.

This has the 9/11 feeling........ shocking to the point you don't want to believe it.

 

[Sussax]

It’s sickening.

I’m not a godly man, but I’ll be praying for those children to pull through and for the all the families.

Hearing some of the eye-witness accounts is harrowing beyond belief, I can’t even imagine.

 

[TomandJerry]

Can a 17 year old feel the full force of the law?

Or will he get away with being sentenced as a minor?

 

[Frutos]

The culprit was originally from Cardiff, per the Police.

 

[carlzeiss]

The culprit was originally from Cardiff, per the Police.

So not a local boy then

 

[Nicks]

The culprit was originally from Cardiff, per the Police.

He has been named on some other social media sites. Allegedly not from Cardiff either.

 

[Chicken Run]

He has been named on some other social media sites. Allegedly not from Cardiff either.

Oh where was he alleged to be from, Newport?

 

[Bold Seagull]

He has been named on some other social media sites. Allegedly not from Cardiff either.

Might be better to rely on official statements from police rather than social media at this time.

 

[carlzeiss]

Can't be one that we should be welcoming shirley

 

[Nicks]

Oh where was he alleged to be from, Newport?

You will find out soon enough sadly.

 

[Chicken Run]

You will find out soon enough sadly.

Oh Newport Pagnell

 

[cjd]

The culprit was originally from Cardiff, per the Police.

I'm struggling to work out why you think this piece of information is relevant and worth posting ?

 

[Frutos]

I'm struggling to work out why you think this piece of information is relevant ?

Simply posting an update as per the official reporting.

 

[Guinness Boy]

I'm struggling to work out why you think this piece of information is relevant ?

Why do you think it’s not?

The only thing I’m struggling with is the conspiracy post from @carlzeiss after people were asked not to speculate.

Which bit did you lot not understand? And by ‘you lot’ I mean anyone who’s more interested in the assailant’s ethnicity than the fate of those poor children.

 

[Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo]

Can a 17 year old feel the full force of the law?

Or will he get away with being sentenced as a minor?

Depending on when this goes to court it may still be dealt with at a youth court. If he’s 18 when it goes to trial he’ll be tried in an adult court.

In England the age of criminal responsibility is 10.

If found guilty he will still be subject to sentencing guidelines for murder (or whatever charges are brought).

The minimum starting tariff for murder when the guilty party is an u18 is 12 years imprisonment where as it’s 25 years for someone over 18 when a knife is involved. If it’s found that he planned this attack and as there are two dead the starting point for an over 18 year old would be 30 years.

That is the only difference that I’m aware of. The fact both of those who died are children will be an aggravating factor that will also factor into any sentencing decisions.

As he’s under 25 he’ll serve the first part of any sentence at a centre for 18-25 year olds.

 

[cjd]

Why do you think it’s not?

The only thing I’m struggling with is the conspiracy post from @carlzeiss after people were asked not to speculate.

Which bit did you lot not understand?

You're generally not worth replying to. I'm happy that the moderator above answered my query. Go back to your hate room .

 

[Peacehaven Wild Kids]

I'm struggling to work out why you think this piece of information is relevant and worth posting ?

Because some are literally chomping at the bit to turn this thread into Twitter

 

[TomandJerry]

Depending on when this goes to court it may still be dealt with at a youth court. If he’s 18 when it goes to trial he’ll be tried in an adult court.

If found guilty he will still be subject to sentencing guidelines for murder (or whatever charges are brought). As he’s under 25 he’ll serve the first part of any sentence at a centre for 18-25 year olds.

I'll assume he'll be going to court pretty speedily?

Are the sentences different at a youth court compared to an adult court?

This is also assuming mental health has been ruled out