A 17-year-old boy has been sentenced to a minimum of 12 years imprisonment for a brutal hammer attack on two fellow students and a teacher at Blundell’s School, a boarding school in Tiverton, Devon. The offender, who cannot be named for legal reasons, denied three counts of attempted murder, claiming he had been sleepwalking, but was found guilty by a jury after a 10-week trial at Exeter Crown Court.
The court heard how the teenager, aged 16 at the time of the incident on 9 June 2023, armed himself with one or more claw hammers and launched a vicious attack on two dormmates, aged 15 and 16, while they slept. At around 12:50 am, he climbed onto the first victim’s bed and struck multiple blows to his head, fracturing his skull and causing severe injuries to his back, lungs, and ribs. He then attacked the second victim, also striking his head repeatedly and leaving him with multiple skull fractures.
Housemaster Henry Roffe-Silvester was alerted by the commotion and intervened, but the attacker turned on him, striking him over the head. Despite being repeatedly attacked, Mr. Roffe-Silvester managed to disarm the teenager and call for help. Several pupils also assisted, and emergency services arrived within minutes to provide life-saving care.
Both teenage victims were rushed to hospital in critical condition. One of the victims spent several months in the hospital and now suffers from life-changing cognitive impairment. The court heard that the rapid response of paramedics and the expertise of medical staff were crucial in saving their lives.
During police interviews, the offender admitted to carrying out the attacks but claimed he was sleepwalking, influenced by horror films he had watched. However, the prosecution, led by James Dawes KC, presented evidence that disproved this defense. They highlighted searches on the offender’s digital devices showing a premeditated interest in violence, including searches like “what happens if you hit someone on the head with a hammer?” and research on child serial killers and school massacres.
Mr. Dawes argued that the offender had been fully conscious during the attack, pointing to evidence that he had been listening to music moments before the assault. He described the actions as “deliberate” and “savage,” aimed at inflicting maximum harm.
Detective Inspector Dave Egan, Senior Investigating Officer, described the attack as “unprovoked, brutal, and savage.” He stated, “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—an act that had been months in the planning.”
The offender was sentenced today to life imprisonment with a minimum of 12 years before being eligible for parole.
Victim Impact Statements
The family of the 16-year-old victim expressed gratitude for the medical and school community’s support:
“We would like to thank everyone who assisted in our son’s recovery—from the school community to the paramedics, doctors, and surgeons. We are eternally grateful for your interventions. The police and prosecution team have helped us navigate this horrific case with professionalism and compassion.”
The family of the 17-year-old victim said:
“I am pleased with the way the investigation has been handled by both the police and the prosecution team. I look forward to my family moving on now that the trial is over, and I hope my son will continue his recovery and have a bright future ahead.”
Blundell’s School has expressed its continued support for the victims and their families, while also working to restore a sense of safety and community following the tragic event.
