A teenager was subjected to a brutal stabbing attack in close proximity to Coleg Gwent’s Newport campus, sustaining multiple injuries, including a punctured lung, in an incident that has shocked the local community. The attack, which involved five youths, was captured on video and circulated on social media, further compounding the distress experienced by the victim and his family.
The assault occurred last year, with details emerging during a recent sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court. According to the court, the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, anticipated trouble after word had spread online of a plan to “jump” him. As a result, he wore a balaclava and carried an ‘asp’—a type of telescopic baton—for protection while walking towards the college with a friend along Nash Road. Their precautions, however, proved insufficient when confronted by the group of five.
Upon being approached, one of the group, a 17-year-old, brandished a knife, prompting the victim and his companion to attempt to flee. While his friend managed to seek safety in a nearby shop, the teenager found himself isolated on a recreational field. Outnumbered and with little choice, he turned to defend himself.
It was then that the attack escalated. The 17-year-old assailant tackled the victim to the ground while other members of the group joined in, kicking and striking him repeatedly. The baton the victim had brought for self-defence was seized and used to inflict further injury, with several blows delivered to his head. Footage shown to the court depicted the harrowing scene, as the wounded boy was pulled to his feet, blood visibly staining his shoulder, while the group demanded he remove his coat—a command he defiantly refused before managing to walk away.
Two passers-by, witnessing the aftermath, transported the victim by motorbike to hospital. Medical examinations at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff confirmed that alongside multiple stab wounds to his back, buttock, knee, and foot, the teenager had suffered a collapsed lung and head injuries from repeated blows.
The assault, filmed by one of the attackers and uploaded to social media platforms, drew widespread condemnation. The primary perpetrator, a 17-year-old, later admitted to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing a bladed article. Two more boys of the same age entered guilty pleas to wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent. They are due to be sentenced later this month at Cwmbran Youth Court.
Judge Daniel Williams, presiding over the case, unequivocally condemned the violence, describing the incident as a “vile assault.” The main defendant has been sentenced to three years’ detention in a young offenders’ institution, despite mitigation submitted regarding his previously good character.
Following the hearing, detective constable David Wilson of Gwent Police expressed relief that the victim’s injuries, though severe, were not life-threatening, emphasising the “shocking level of violence” that endangered not only the individuals involved but also members of the public in the area. He noted, “Although incidents involving knives and weapons are uncommon in Gwent, such conduct is entirely inexcusable and will not be tolerated.”
The distressing events have prompted concern across Newport, with community leaders and authorities urging continued vigilance in schools and colleges to prevent further outbreaks of youth violence. The case reignites broader discussion around youth crime, the proliferation of knives, and the disturbing trend of sharing violent acts online. As proceedings continue, support is being extended to the victim and his family as they attempt to rebuild in the wake of a traumatic and unprovoked assault.