Man who stabbed girl, 9, in attempted murder jailed

A man who repeatedly stabbed a nine-year-old girl in an attempt to kill her has been jailed for 30 years.

Jordan Wilkes, 29, from New Milton, attacked the girl, who was playing outside his flat with a friend, in August 2024.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard data from Wilkes' phone showed he had researched James Bulger's murder and rioting after the Southport killings ahead of the attack.

In a victim impact statement, the girl's mother said her daughter had developed post traumatic stress disorder and "carries a life sentence of her own".

The court heard the girl was not known to Wilkes before the attack, which happened at an address in Glider Close during the school holidays.

She had been playing in a communal stairwell when Wilkes came out of his flat and stabbed her with a penknife three times, once to her jaw, then her shoulder and knee.

The girl and her friend managed to get away and knocked on a number of doors before a neighbour took them in and called the emergency services.

In arrest footage from Dorset Police, Wilkes can be heard directing officers to the attempted murder weapon in his bedroom.

His DNA was later found on the handle of the penknife, while the victim's blood was found on the blade.

Prosecutor Berenice Mulvanny told the court the victim was taken to hospital and treated for her "serious" stab wounds, but the court heard she would be left scarred for life.

The wound to her neck narrowly missed major arteries, which could have led to fatal blood loss if they had been cut, the court heard.

Ms Mulvanny said a search of the defendant's home found a number of knives, several of which had been hidden around the premises.

Analysis of his mobile phone revealed 69 files relating to YouTube videos, news articles and podcasts focused on murders and child killings.

Ms Mulvanny said this included the so-called "Valentine's Day massacre" at a high school in Parkland, Florida, in 2018 in which 17 people were killed.

He had also looked up the rioting in the aftermath of the murder of three girls at a dance class in Southport in July 2024, and a day after the killings he had clicked on a link for a local dance class, the court heard.

Wilkes was found guilty after trial of one count of attempted murder and one count of possessing a bladed article on 7 March.

Passing sentence, Judge William Mousley KC commended the two girls' bravery.

He said: "The conduct of two very brave little girls has been quite remarkable, in light of the ordeal they have been through."

Wilkes was sentenced to 30 years' imprisonment and an extended licence of five years for attempted murder.

He received a sentence of two years' imprisonment for the posession of a bladed article to run concurrently.

Senior crown prosecutor, Kelly Newman, said Wilkes was a "highly dangerous individual with an obscene interest in knives and violence".

She said: "Examination of all the available evidence, particularly his disturbing online search history in the weeks before this attack, revealed his hideous intentions to kill and harm children.

"This attack represents every parent's worst nightmare – believing their child is innocently and safely playing, only to be targeted in such a horrific manner.

"We have been moved by the bravery of the victim and her friend throughout this process. We hope that they can begin to heal from such a terrifying ordeal."

In a statement the family of the victim said the trauma of the incident would be something they "endure for the rest of our lives".

"But be assured; although it has been extremely arduous, the resilience, bravery, endurance, strength, power, determination and much more our little girl has shown from the very seconds of the attack through to where we stand today; will continue to diminish his existence," they said.

"Justice has been delivered today and knowing this person's liberties have been withdrawn and children in our community are now safe from him; we can close out this chapter."

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