Bravery of young victim helps detectives bring stabbing offender to justice
Detectives have praised the courage of a young victim and her friend whose evidence helped bring a stabbing offender to justice.
Jordan Wilkes, aged 29 and of Christchurch, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Wednesday 23 April 2025 to be sentenced for the attempted murder of a nine-year-old girl after being found guilty at an earlier trial.
At 5.55pm on Tuesday 20 August 2024 officers attended Glider Close in Christchurch following a report that a nine-year-old girl had been stabbed in a communal area of an address.
It was reported that the girl had been sitting on some stairs chatting with her friend when a man had approached and stabbed the victim in the shoulder and jaw line area as well as in the leg.
The girls both fled up the stairs and managed to get into a flat in the property, with the occupants taking them in and contacting the police.
Emergency services attended and commenced first aid on the victim, while the defendant was located at the scene and arrested.
The victim was taken to hospital and treated for injuries to her neck area, shoulder, side and knee.
Wilkes was sentenced to 30 years in custody with extended licence period of a further five years.
Detective Chief Inspector Aimee Schock, of BCP CID, said: “This was a horrific knife attack on a defenceless young girl that could easily have had fatal consequences.
“I want to thank the young victim in this case and her friend for the courage they have shown in giving evidence and helping to build a case against Jordan Wilkes, which ultimately led to his conviction for attempted murder.
“Thanks to the swift response of the emergency services to this shocking incident, we were not only able to quickly provide immediate first aid to the young girl for her injuries but also arrested the defendant shortly after his violent attack.”
Kelly Newman, a Senior Crown Prosecutor with CPS Wessex, said: “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.
"The CPS, working closely with our criminal justice partners, remains committed to building robust cases and securing justice for victims."
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