Stabbing - Boy, 12, Appears Before Magistrates’ Court

A 12-year-old boy has appeared at Medway Magistrates' Court this afternoon (Monday 25th March) charged with the attempted murder of a 15-year-old girl, who was stabbed in the abdomen on Adelaide Drive on Friday (22nd March) afternoon.

The boy, who cannot be named because of his age, appeared in front of District Judge William Nelson, who sent the case to Maidstone Crown Court to be dealt with. The boy is expected to appear there for a preliminary hearing on Monday 22nd April  and was remanded in custody at a youth detention facility until then but could apply for bail again.

The girl, who also can’t be named for legal reasons, was taken to King’s College Hospital in London after the incident on Friday (22nd March), where she underwent emergency surgery for a bowel injury.

She is said to be in a stable condition and during the hearing chief prosecutor Julie Fabrace told the Judge (Nelson) it was still not known how long she would have to stay in hospital recovering.

Local residents on the Australian Estate have told SFM News that they were "extremely concerned" after finding out it was a stabbing incident involving children.

Kent Police have confirmed that they are no longer appealing for information, following an earlier appeal.