Schoolboy who attacked two students and teacher with hammers jailed for life

A public schoolboy who attacked two sleeping students and a teacher with hammers at a boarding school has been convicted of attempted murder. The 16-year-old, dressed only in his boxer shorts, used weapons he had gathered in preparation for the attack.

He confessed to assaulting the two boys and the housemaster at Blundell’s School in Tiverton, Devon, but claimed he was sleepwalking. Exeter Crown Court heard that the teenager, who cannot be named due to legal reasons, armed himself with three claw hammers and waited until the two boys were asleep before launching his attack.

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The pupils were sleeping in cabin-style beds in one of the co-ed school’s boarding houses when the defendant climbed up and attacked them shortly before 1am on June 9 last year. Housemaster Henry Roffe-Silvester, who was asleep in his own quarters, was awakened by noises coming from the boarding house and went to investigate.

Upon entering the bedroom where the attack took place, he saw a silhouetted figure standing in the room, who then turned towards him and repeatedly struck him over the head with a hammer. Another student heard Mr Roffe-Silvester shouting and swearing as he fled the bedroom and dialled 999 – believing there was an intruder.

The two boys were discovered in their beds a few minutes later. They had suffered skull fractures, as well as injuries to their ribs, spleen, a punctured lung and internal bleeding.

During the trial, jurors were told about the "long-term consequences" faced by the victims who have no recollection of the ordeal. Mr Roffe-Silvester endured six head injuries during the assault.

The defendant claimed he was sleepwalking when he committed the acts. However, the jury convicted him on three counts of attempted murder and he has now been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 12 years.

James Dawes KC, leading the prosecution, said in court: "The investigation has uncovered an obsession that the defendant had with one of the boys, an obsession with hammers as weapons, and an obsession with killing and killers and the killing of children.

"He was using his iPad right up to the moment before the attack." Describing the aftermath, Mr Roffe-Silvester recalled that the assailant seemed as if he was ‘on a mission’, later becoming relaxed and calm.

However Dr Mark Pressman, an expert witness, suggested that the accused may have been sleepwalking, labelling the violence as "a textbook example of sleepwalking violence" and said that there weren't aspects of the case inconsistent with sleepwalking. Family members also testified, noting a history of sleepwalking in their lineage.

But Dr John O’Reilly, a further expert witness, expressed his belief that the boy was not asleep at the time of the incident, pointing out that sleepwalking does not typically result in initiating violence and is usually triggered by noise or touch.

In an emotional testimony, the accused boy said he kept two hammers next to his bed "for protection" from the "zombie apocalypse".

The boy added: "I feel very terribly sorry for all three individuals because of what I did to them. I feel very sorry for everyone, the families and themselves."

At the sentencing, Mrs Justice Cutts declared the defendant "dangerous" and stressed that only a life sentence would suffice to protect the public, as it is uncertain how long he may present a danger. "It nevertheless remains the case you knew the difference between right and wrong and planned to kill the boys and obtained hammers.

"You planned your offences and used hammers you had bought as weapons. You knew full well if you hit the boys multiple times with the hammers they would die. You are an intelligent boy, and I am satisfied you knew the difference between right and wrong.

"I accept that in prison things will be difficult for you. In my view there remains a significant risk that you could behave in this way again. I consider that you pose a high level of danger to the public because of the nature of your offences.

"A life sentence remains the sentence of last resort. However, in my view, a life sentence is required in your case because it is impossible to say how long you will remain a danger."

Detective Inspector Dave Egan spoke after the sentencing and said: "This was an unprovoked attack on two schoolboys as they slept in their beds. The assaults were both brutal and savage and I have no doubt that his intent was to kill.

"Our detectives worked tirelessly to prove that the offender had indeed been fully conscious when committing this horrendous attack, which had been months in the planning."

The family of one of the victims said: "We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have assisted in our son’s recovery – from the school community to the paramedics and the doctors and surgeons who gave outstanding care whilst he was in hospital. We are eternally grateful for your interventions.

"The police and the prosecution team have helped us navigate this horrific case with the utmost professionalism and compassion.

"Their thoroughness and attention to detail in the investigation has been truly impressive. We are indebted to everyone involved and would like to convey our sincerest thanks."

The other victim's family added: "I am pleased with the way the investigation has been handled by both the police and the prosecution team. I am looking forward to my family moving on now that the trial is over, and I hope my son will continue his recovery and have a good future ahead."