Boy, 17, jailed for life after stabbing disabled girl 99 times

A teenage boy has been jailed for life after stabbing a disabled girl at least 99 times.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, left the 16-year-old victim for dead after attacking her in Sittingbourne, Kent, last July.

He threw away the girl's phone, leaving her alone and soaked in blood for seven hours before she was found.

Following this, he googled whether Britain still had the death penalty.

The assault left the victim with numerous life-threatening injuries but she survived and has since returned to school.

The boy after admitting attempted murder was sentenced to at least a notional tariff of 10 years and should he be released from prison, subject to a whole life licence.

Maidstone Crown Court heard a dog walker discovered the victim at around 7.30am on Tuesday 22 July in The Orchards in Sittingbourne.

Prosecutor Martin Yale, who said the attacker was just 16 when he committed attempted murder, said: "We say he lured her to the orchard in order to carry out a premeditated attack.

"He began messaging his victim on Snapchat and he instigated a meeting."

The prosecutor said the attacker also carried a bag with him - which is believed to have contained weapons and a change of clothing in which he planned to kill her.

He made an excuse to use the toilet at the orchard, disappeared and then returned when he grabbed her mouth before beginning his stabbing frenzy.

The victim described her attacker as "looking evil" and estimated the attack continued for up to three minutes.

She was flown by air ambulance to King's College Hospital in London and treated for wounds to the liver, pancreas, lungs, kidney and a severed artery.

After her disappearance was discovered the victim's parents began a search after finding she had not slept in her room.

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Mr Yale said that the would-be killer was eventually questioned and claimed to have been with his girlfriend.

When detectives went to his house they discovered he had been viewing images including American serial killer Ted Bundy.

Tana Adkin QC, in mitigation, said the boy had suffered from poor mental health in lockdown and spoke about ending his life.

She said his parents 'did all they could' and it was not until after his arrest that his conditions were diagnosed.

Judge Philip Statman, in sentencing, added: "You had a murderous attempt in your head. This was a savage and brutal attack which was premeditated.

"Your victim remained in her foetal position in The Orchards for six hours yet your victim fought for her life and won."