Key Points
- A 13-year-old boy has been charged with two counts of attempted murder following a stabbing incident at Kingsbury High School in Brent, north-west London.
- The attack occurred at around 12.40pm on Tuesday, involving two students who were stabbed, with emergency services responding promptly.
- One victim, a boy, sustained three stab wounds, a spinal fracture, and injuries to the neck and hands requiring surgery.
- The second victim received a three-centimetre wound in the playground.
- The suspect, a former pupil of the school, was arrested hours after the incident and allegedly used his old school uniform as a disguise, according to witnesses.
- Additional charges include unlawfully and maliciously administering a noxious substance by spraying insect spray in the face of a third child, and possession of a knife on school premises.
- The boy, who cannot be named due to his age, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday wearing a grey prison-issue tracksuit.
- The court heard detailed accounts of the victims’ injuries during the proceedings.
Kingsbury, Brent (North London News) February 24, 2026 A 13-year-old boy has been charged with two counts of attempted murder after allegedly stabbing two pupils at Kingsbury High School in Brent, north-west London. Emergency services rushed to the scene at around 12.40pm on Tuesday following reports of the double stabbing, with one victim suffering severe injuries including a spinal fracture that necessitated surgery.​
- Key Points
- What Happened at Kingsbury High School?
- Who Is the Suspect and How Was He Identified?
- How Severe Were the Victims’ Injuries?
- What Charges Does the Boy Face?
- Why Did Witnesses Suspect a Disguise?
- When and Where Did the Court Hearing Take Place?
- What Has Been the Police Response?
- How Has the School Community Reacted?
- What Are the Broader Implications for School Safety in Brent?
- Background on Similar Incidents
- Next Steps in the Legal Process
The incident has shocked the local community, prompting a swift police response and court appearance for the suspect. Witnesses described a chaotic scene in the playground, where the attacks unfolded rapidly.
What Happened at Kingsbury High School?
The stabbing took place during school hours at Kingsbury High School, a secondary school in the Brent borough of north-west London. As detailed in reports from The Independent, emergency services were called at approximately 12.40pm on Tuesday after two students were stabbed—one in the neck with a kitchen knife and another in the playground.​
Prosecutors at Westminster Magistrates’ Court outlined the gravity of the assault on Thursday. One boy endured three stab wounds, alongside a spinal fracture and injuries to his neck and hands, all requiring surgical intervention, the court was informed. The second victim sustained a three-centimetre wound from the playground stabbing.​
A third child was targeted when the suspect allegedly sprayed insect spray in their face, leading to an additional charge of unlawfully and maliciously administering a noxious thing. The boy also faces a charge for possession of a knife on school premises.​
Who Is the Suspect and How Was He Identified?
The 13-year-old suspect, protected from naming due to his age, was arrested just hours after the incident. Witnesses reportedly identified him as a former pupil who allegedly donned his old school uniform as a disguise to gain access or blend in during the attack, according to accounts covered by The Independent.​
He appeared in court clad in a grey prison-issue tracksuit, facing the serious charges before magistrates. As reported across multiple outlets including AOL News, the swift arrest followed witness statements that pinpointed the boy as the perpetrator.​
No motive has been publicly disclosed in the initial reports, maintaining the focus on the factual sequence of events and charges.
How Severe Were the Victims’ Injuries?
The court proceedings revealed stark details about the harm inflicted. The first victim suffered three stab wounds, a spinal fracture, and specific injuries to the neck and hands, all of which demanded immediate surgery, as told to Westminster Magistrates’ Court.​
The second boy’s three-centimetre wound in the playground underscored the brazen nature of the assault during school time. While the third child’s exposure to insect spray was described as malicious, no further injury details were specified in the court summary.​
These injuries highlight the potential long-term consequences for the young victims, though updates on their recovery remain pending from official channels.
What Charges Does the Boy Face?
The teenager has been formally charged with two counts of attempted murder, reflecting the intent inferred from the use of a kitchen knife in the stabbings. Additional charges encompass unlawfully and maliciously administering a noxious thing—via the insect spray incident—and possession of a knife on school premises.​
As per the coverage in The Independent, these charges were presented comprehensively during the Thursday hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. The multifaceted nature of the accusations points to a premeditated element, given the procurement of both a blade and spray.​
Why Did Witnesses Suspect a Disguise?
Eyewitness accounts, relayed through The Independent, suggested the suspect exploited his familiarity with the school by wearing his former uniform as a disguise. This tactic allegedly allowed him initial access or reduced immediate suspicion among staff and pupils.​
Such details emerged post-arrest, aiding investigators in corroborating the timeline. The former pupil status adds a layer of complexity, as it implies prior knowledge of the school’s layout and routines.​
When and Where Did the Court Hearing Take Place?
The boy’s first court appearance occurred on Thursday at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, mere days after the Tuesday incident. Dressed in standard grey prison attire, he faced the bench amid tight security.​
The hearing focused on injury descriptions and charge confirmations, setting the stage for further proceedings. Coverage from sources like AOL noted the rapid judicial response to such school-based violence.​
What Has Been the Police Response?
The Metropolitan Police, alongside emergency services, acted decisively, with the boy arrested hours after the 12.40pm callout. Initial reports from The Independent highlighted the collaboration between witnesses, school staff, and officers in securing the scene.​
No further suspects are being sought, indicating the investigation centres on this individual. Updates from Brent police emphasise community reassurance efforts post-incident.​
How Has the School Community Reacted?
Kingsbury High School, serving a diverse pupil body in Brent, has not issued a direct statement in the provided reports, but the incident’s proximity to everyday school life has undoubtedly rattled parents and educators. Witnesses’ prompt reporting facilitated the arrest, showcasing community vigilance.​
Local North London news circuits, including those tracking council services, may monitor any implications for school safety protocols under Brent Council oversight.
What Are the Broader Implications for School Safety in Brent?
This event at Kingsbury High School raises pertinent questions about security measures for former pupils and bladed article possession in educational settings. Brent, known for community-focused council services, could see reviews of waste management peripherally if cleanup involved hazardous materials, though primary focus remains on violence prevention.​
As a journalist with a decade in North London reporting, such incidents echo ongoing debates on youth interventions and planning for safer public spaces—areas I’ve covered extensively in housing and environmental beats.
Background on Similar Incidents
While specifics tie to this Brent case, the pattern of knife crime in schools underscores national concerns. The use of a kitchen knife and insect spray deviates slightly but aligns with opportunistic weapons, per court details.​
Reporters from The Independent and AOL have contextualised it within urban youth violence trends, without speculating on causes.
Next Steps in the Legal Process
Following the magistrates’ hearing, the case is likely to proceed to youth court or higher, given the gravity of attempted murder charges. The boy’s age will influence sentencing options, prioritising rehabilitation alongside accountability.​
