A judge has blasted “sick” elements of modern society after hearing how scores of people took to Facebook to praise a teenager who stabbed one of his teachers in a racially motivated attack.
Vincent Uzomah feared he was about to die after the 14-year-old hurled racial abuse at him and then plunged a knife into his stomach during a row over a mobile phone.
After fleeing the school, the teenager took to Facebook writing: ““The mother****** getin (sic) funny so I stick the blade straight in his tummy.”
As police desperately hunted the youth, friends and associates ‘liked’ the post, indicating that they were impressed by what he had done.
Science teacher Vincent Uzomah, left, was stabbed by a 14-year-old who cannot be identified, rightScience teacher Vincent Uzomah, left, was stabbed by a 14-year-old who cannot be identified.
At a sentencing hearing for the teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, the judge in the case said those who had acted in this way were “sick”.
He said: “It’s an appalling reflection on a small microcosm of our society that within minutes or hours after posting, 69 people ‘liked’. How sick.”
Mr Uzomah was in court to see his assailant given an 11-year sentence for the harrowing attack.
Speaking afterwards he said he forgave the boy, but may never be able to return to the job he loves. He explained that the attack had left him with psychological as well as physical scars but the devout Christian said he and his wife prayed every day that the boy would be able to turn his life around and one day make a useful contribution to society.
Police outside Dixons Kings Academy, in Bradford Mr Uzomah, who had only been at the Dixons Kings Academy in Bradford for seven weeks before the incident in June, was racially abused by the Asian youth before being stabbed in the stomach.
Despite being given an 11-year sentence, it has emerged that the boy, who was on bail at the time of the incident, could be freed released from detention in just three years.
The judge, Jonathan Durham Hall QC, said he was a “dangerous young offender”, telling him: “What you have done is utterly shocking, deliberately, callously stabbing him,”
Speaking after the case, Mr Uzomah said: “As a Christian I have forgiven this boy who has inflicted this trauma and pain on me and my family.”
He added: “Our prayer for him is that he will make use of the opportunities and support that will be provided to him to become a changed person who will make a positive contribution to the society.”
Jonathan Sharp, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said it was not clear whether Mr Uzomah would ever feel well enough to return to the classroom.
He said: “The victim has suffered serious physical and psychological injuries, has had to put his career plans on hold and is uncertain when, or if, he will feel able to return to teaching – a profession he loved.”
He added: “In the circumstances, it is remarkable that Mr Uzomah has expressed his desire to forgive the victim, whilst wishing to see justice done as a deterrent to others. I hope that the sentence passed today gives Mr Uzomah and his family some comfort. Our thoughts remain with them.”
Vincent Uzomah feared he was about to die after the 14-year-old hurled racial abuse at him and then plunged a knife into his stomach during a row over a mobile phone.
After fleeing the school, the teenager took to Facebook writing: ““The mother****** getin (sic) funny so I stick the blade straight in his tummy.”
As police desperately hunted the youth, friends and associates ‘liked’ the post, indicating that they were impressed by what he had done.
Science teacher Vincent Uzomah, left, was stabbed by a 14-year-old who cannot be identified, rightScience teacher Vincent Uzomah, left, was stabbed by a 14-year-old who cannot be identified.
At a sentencing hearing for the teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, the judge in the case said those who had acted in this way were “sick”.
He said: “It’s an appalling reflection on a small microcosm of our society that within minutes or hours after posting, 69 people ‘liked’. How sick.”
Mr Uzomah was in court to see his assailant given an 11-year sentence for the harrowing attack.
Speaking afterwards he said he forgave the boy, but may never be able to return to the job he loves. He explained that the attack had left him with psychological as well as physical scars but the devout Christian said he and his wife prayed every day that the boy would be able to turn his life around and one day make a useful contribution to society.
Police outside Dixons Kings Academy, in Bradford Mr Uzomah, who had only been at the Dixons Kings Academy in Bradford for seven weeks before the incident in June, was racially abused by the Asian youth before being stabbed in the stomach.
Despite being given an 11-year sentence, it has emerged that the boy, who was on bail at the time of the incident, could be freed released from detention in just three years.
The judge, Jonathan Durham Hall QC, said he was a “dangerous young offender”, telling him: “What you have done is utterly shocking, deliberately, callously stabbing him,”
Speaking after the case, Mr Uzomah said: “As a Christian I have forgiven this boy who has inflicted this trauma and pain on me and my family.”
He added: “Our prayer for him is that he will make use of the opportunities and support that will be provided to him to become a changed person who will make a positive contribution to the society.”
Jonathan Sharp, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said it was not clear whether Mr Uzomah would ever feel well enough to return to the classroom.
He said: “The victim has suffered serious physical and psychological injuries, has had to put his career plans on hold and is uncertain when, or if, he will feel able to return to teaching – a profession he loved.”
He added: “In the circumstances, it is remarkable that Mr Uzomah has expressed his desire to forgive the victim, whilst wishing to see justice done as a deterrent to others. I hope that the sentence passed today gives Mr Uzomah and his family some comfort. Our thoughts remain with them.”
No comments:
Post a Comment