Bassett stabbing victim, 15, ‘attacked with machete as he cowered on the ground’

A police dog unit near the scene of the stabbing on New Year's Day

The injuries sustained by a victim in a stabbing in Royal Wootton Bassett have been revealed.

A 15-year-old boy sustained three knife wounds during a disorder involving a number of males in an alleyway near New Road Park in the town at around 4pm on New Year’s Day.

The teenager suspected of carrying out the attack appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court today (Wednesday) – charged with seven offences including grievous bodily harm with intent.

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Prosecutor Pauline Lambert said the victim sustained a “significant [stab] wound to his bottom” and a further two knife wounds to the centre of his back and face.

She said that the boy had slipped over in the alleyway and was on the ground, holding his hands up to defend against a machete being used against him.

Despite his injuries, he was discharged from hospital the following day. Wiltshire Police subsequently arrested the stabbing victim on suspicion of violent disorder. He’s since been released on bail.

The 14-year-old defendant is also accused of slicing the wrists of a different teenage boy and stabbing him in the abdomen near the Link Centre in Swindon back in October.

READ MORE: Boy, 14, in court charged with Link Centre knife attack and Bassett stabbing

Superintendent Phil Staynings said: “We understand the significant impact that incidents such as these have had in the local community in recent months.

“I’d like to reassure residents that we are doing everything we can to combat knife crime, particularly among youths, and ensure that it’s considered unacceptable to carry knives around with you when you’re out in the community.

“Knife crime can destroy lives and fracture communities and tackling it is one of our force’s top priorities.

“Our officers across the county work day and night to protect the communities exposed to it and we are using a range of enforcement, prevention and engagement tactics to take knives off the streets.

“With this work, we hope to deter people from carrying knives and ultimately reduce incidents such as those seen in Royal Wootton Bassett and Swindon recently from reoccurring.”

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