Two 17-year-old youths are on trial at Birmingham Crown Court, accused of attempting to murder a 15-year-old boy who sold knives on Snapchat. According to the prosecution, the victim was lured to Pretoria Road in Bordesley Green and stabbed shortly after 6pm on July 4 last year.
The court heard that several weeks earlier, the victim was pressured by an unidentified older male to sell two knives on his behalf and hand over the cash. The victim, who was reluctant and fearful, eventually agreed to advertise the knives on Snapchat after multiple confrontations.
Prosecutor Raj Punia revealed that the plan to attack the boy was discussed in social media messages prior to the incident. One defendant has pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and possession of a knife in public. The other denies any joint intent to cause serious harm despite being present and restraining the victim during the attack. The victim and defendants remain unnamed due to reporting restrictions.
On the day of the attack, the boy was contacted by an unknown buyer who arranged to purchase the knives. As he approached the meeting spot on Pretoria Road, three males emerged from an alleyway. One of the accused stabbed the boy while the other held him. The victim dropped the shoebox containing the knives, pleaded for the attackers to stop, but continued to be stabbed and chased until he sought help from a passerby.
The knives inflicted severe injuries, nearly fatal, and the victim later made it home before being hospitalized. Police arrested the stabber two days after the incident, and the second defendant was detained nearly two months later. Investigation of phone messages uncovered plans to attack the victim, discussions on disposing of weapons, and attempts to create false alibis involving fabricated mental health claims.
The trial is ongoing as the court examines the evidence surrounding this violent attack on a vulnerable teenager.