THE Thames Valley Police and Crime commissioner is ‘worried justice has not been done’ after a teen avoids prison after a stabbing in High Wycombe.

A 15-year-old boy from South Tyneside, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was given a one-year community order after pleading guilty to stabbing another teen three times on October 29, 2022 in Terriers End.

The teen suffered from ‘life-changing injuries’ after the attack.

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However, after pleading guilty to one count each of wounding with intent and being in possession of a bladed article at South Tyneside Youth Court, the unnamed boy avoided a youth offenders’ institution.

Matthew Barber, the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, said he was ‘worried’ upon hearing the sentence that it did not ‘match the crime’.

 

Commenting on Twitter, Mr Barber said: “Sentences like this really worry me.

“Yes, the offender was a child, but so was the victim. He pleaded guilty to the serious offence of wounding with intent. He stabbed someone three times.

“The police have done all they can in this case. They've identified, arrested and charged the offender. He has been prosecuted, but many will feel that justice has not been done.

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“In the last year or so, Thames Valley police have made great improvements in dealing with knife possession offences through Operation Deter, but sentences need to match the crime.”