A 17-year-old from Swindon has admitted to stabbing another teenager in Royal Wootton Bassett during a violent altercation earlier this summer.

The incident occurred on the evening of June 3, when two victims encountered three male teenagers, known to them, in the New Road area. A confrontation ensued, resulting in a 16-year-old boy being stabbed in the back. The wound required seven stitches.

The 17-year-old attacker appeared at Swindon Youth Court, where he pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm (GBH) under Section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act. He also admitted to attempted GBH against a second teenager and to possession of a bladed article in a public place.

Two other teenagers, aged 16 and 17, both from Royal Wootton Bassett, have also pleaded guilty to the same offences. While the 17-year-old from Swindon remains in custody, the two others are out on conditional bail.

All three individuals are scheduled to be sentenced on September 18.

Detective Constable Chris Hemns of Wiltshire Police condemned the violence, emphasizing the detrimental effects of knife crime in the community: “There can be no place for incidents like this in Wiltshire. The impact of knife crime on our communities can’t be underestimated, and it is a Force priority to target those who are carrying knives.”

He urged young people to reconsider carrying knives, whether for protection or aggression, stressing the lifelong consequences of such actions. Hemns added that addressing knife crime will require a collaborative effort between police, partners, and parents to educate the youth on the dangers of carrying weapons.

For more information and advice on how to stop knife crime, visit Wiltshire Police’s website at: Stop Knife Crime | Wiltshire Police.