Teen Stabber Who Targeted Wrong House Escapes Murder Charge
A 14-year-old boy accused of stabbing a 56-year-old man in Southampton last October has walked free from attempted murder charges after a jury failed to reach a verdict.
Botched Revenge Attack on Barnfield Road
The shocking incident unfolded on Tuesday 27 October 2020 in Barnfield Road, Southampton. The victim was enjoying time indoors with his wife when a brick and a concrete slab smashed through their windows.
When the man went outside to investigate, he was viciously stabbed twice—once in the neck and once in the stomach—by the teenager who mistook him for someone else.
Wrong Address, Right Knife
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had armed himself with a blade to settle a dispute over a social media post. However, he chose the wrong target completely, stabbing an innocent man to whom he had no connection.
Legal Outcome and Police Reaction
Following the jury’s deadlock, the youth was cleared of attempted murder but will be sentenced on 25 January for section 18 grievous bodily harm and possession of a bladed weapon—charges he had already admitted.
The second 14-year-old teen involved pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon and received a 12-month referral order at Southampton Youth Court.
Detective Sergeant Will Whale said: “This case highlights the risks involved with carrying knives and the devastation it can cause, not only to those involved but also to their friends, families and the wider community. My thoughts are with them all today.”
