Teenager jailed after knife attack series claims ‘God told him to do it’ | UK News

A teenager who launched a frenzied attack at his former school with a piece of broken glass has been jailed for at least five years.

Louis Melotte, 17, was sentenced to five years in youth detention with an extended five-year conditional release period, following his assault at Birley Academy in Sheffield in May.

Chilling video footage of the incident shows Melotte entering the reception area and asking to speak to a member of staff, while three schoolgirls loiter nearby.

Melotte then approaches one of the girls, aged only 12, and attacks her without warning with a shard of glass that he has hidden in his sleeve.

Molly Bulmer, a youth mentor who was nearby at the time of the attack, intervened and attempted to stop Melotte, and was also injured in the process.

Meanwhile, receptionist Alicia Richards took the three girls away before being chased by Melotte, who also tried to attack her.

Bulmer and Richards were both injured in the incident, which led to the school being closed. Melotte was apprehended by police shortly afterwards.

As Mrs Bulmer tried to restrain the boy, she recalls him telling her: “This was bound to happen.”

In a series of social media posts made by Melotte just before the attack, he could be seen declaring: “Today is the day; a call from the Lord Jesus Christ has come to me.

“Do what Almighty God thinks is necessary.”

The court heard how he smashed a glass at home before calmly walking 20 minutes to school with the pieces hidden in his sleeve.

As he launched his attack, he was heard saying, “I’m going to kill everyone.”

Ms Bulmer, who works with children at risk of exclusion, said she struggled to return to school after the incident and felt it meant the pupils she worked with were also victims.

In an impact statement read to the court, Ms Bulmer said: “In truth, I don’t think I have ever really come to terms with what happened to me on the day of this incident. The fact that I managed to escape without at least some life-changing injuries is baffling to me.”

Following Ms Bulmer’s statement to the court, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC said he would recommend her and receptionist Alicia Richards for commendation for their bravery.

Addressing Ms Bulmer directly, Judge Richardson said: “I think you should be terribly proud of yourself for what you have done. You have not backed down, and neither has your colleague. Not at all. You have moved forward.”

“You had no idea what he had in his hands.”

The judge said: “Without thinking about your own safety, you acted to protect schoolchildren.

“It’s a brave thing to do, a really brave thing to do, and you should be really proud of yourself, because you’ve made a difference.

“You and your colleague both deserve great praise for what you have done.”

Melotte, who sat in the dock wearing a bright blue jacket over a black shirt, was convicted of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent earlier this year and had previously pleaded guilty to bringing a sharp object into a school.

Judge Richardson lifted an order protecting Melotte’s identity at a previous hearing.

The judge accepted that the defendant was autistic and suffered from mental health issues including psychosis at the time of the incident.

He said that explained “to some extent” what happened, but the judge added: “You knew what you were doing, there is no doubt about that.”

Judge Richardson said he recognised Melotte had a difficult upbringing and was extremely concerned about the white supremacist material he had posted online.

The judge said: “Protecting the public must be my primary objective in this case.”

He said: “Schools and universities are places of learning. They are also places where the people who attend them, whether they are students or staff, must feel safe. They must be protected.”

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