Trial of boy accused of Bradford attempted murder continues

The scene in Bradford’s Grosvenor Park in Manningham was played at Bradford Crown Court in the trial of a boy aged 16 who denies attempted murder, wounding with intent, and having an article with a blade or point.  

The Crown alleges that the CCTV footage shows the moment the defendant stabbed the boy leaving him with a life-threatening wound to the right side of his chest.  

The injured youth can be seen being helped to a bench in the snow-covered park and slumping down on it. 

A young male’s 999 call to summon an ambulance was played in court in which he can be heard saying ‘stay awake, stay awake.’ He tells the call handler that the attacker has run away. 

Prosecutor Adam Birkby alleges that the accused boy, who can’t be named because of his age, attacked the other boy in the park at 5.15pm on Saturday, March 11, after youths had arranged to fight there. 

“The Crown say that when he stabbed him he intended to kill him,” he said. 

The jury has been told that the defendant accepts that he was at the park. He had picked up a small metal pole but denies being in possession of a knife or stabbing the boy. 

The Crown says there were two incidents of violence in the park that afternoon. The first was towards the north end when the defendant and two others had a violent confrontation with some young males.  

The second incident was near the south entrance when the defendant produced a knife from the waistband of his trousers and stabbed the victim, it is alleged.  

The stabbed boy was bleeding profusely and gasping for air, Mr Birkby said.  

He was taken to Leeds General Infirmary where it was found that his right lung had collapsed and he had life-threatening bleeding in his chest cavity. He had emergency surgery but suffered brain damage due to oxygen deprivation. 

He gave a police interview at the hospital and his statement is due to be played in court this afternoon. 

The trial, expected to last up to seven days, continues.