Girl lured boy to Herrington Country Park, where he was then stabbed

Police were informed by the ambulance service that a 15-year-old boy had sustained serious injuries, consistent with being stabbed, at Herrington Country Park, near Sunderland, on the evening of Friday, June 6, last year.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment of his injuries and was later discharged.

Northumbria Police launched a full investigation into the incident and swiftly arrested two boys, both now aged 17 and a girl who is now 16.

The investigation found that the girl lured the victim to the park before one of the boys stabbed him.

Herrington Country Park, the scene of the stabbing of a teenager, on the evening on June 6, 2025 (Image: Google Street View)

All three suspects were subsequently charged with attempted murder, with the girl admitting the offence at a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court.

Both boys admitted grievous bodily harm with intent but denied attempted murder.

They stood trial on the attempted murder charge at the court in November 2025 and were both found not guilty.

All three defendants, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were sentenced at the court today (Friday, April 17).

The teenage girl was sentenced to seven years and four months in youth detention.

One of the boys who admitted grievous bodily harm was sentenced to two years and 10 months in youth detention, while the other was sentenced to a 24-month detention and training order.

Following the sentencing hearing, the officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Inspector John Hopkins, of Northumbria Police’s Sunderland Criminal Investigation Department, said: “The victim in this incident has been through a truly horrendous ordeal.

“We hope now the case has concluded and those responsible have been sentenced that he and his family are able to take some closure from the events of the past 10 months.” 

Det Insp Hopkins added: “The actions of the three offenders involved in this case were abhorrent and the victim is extremely fortunate not to have died.

“Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our officers who carried out such a thorough investigation, we have now been able to secure convictions against those responsible.

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“I sincerely hope that this case serves as a reminder of the serious harm that carrying knives can do.

“We would ask that parents in our region who have concerns that the young people they care for may be getting involved in knife crime to have those difficult conversations about the extreme dangers that come with deciding to arm yourself with a weapon.

“In no way does carrying a knife protect you, in fact it puts you and others around you potentially in harm’s way and can have a devastating impact on your life and the lives of many others in the process.”