Man remanded in custody over stabbing

An 18-year-old man has been remanded in custody, charged with the attempted murder of a teenager who was stabbed near the gates of her high school in the West Midlands

Samuel Tomlinson, from the Sedgley area, appeared before magistrates in Dudley on Monday 4th April charged with attempting to kill Chloe West and wounding one of the 14-year-old's fellow pupils. He's due back at Wolverhampton Crown Court on the 28th June.

Chloe, who suffered wounds to her upper body and face outside Ridgewood High School in Stourbridge on Friday, was discharged from Birmingham Children's Hospital yesterday after undergoing surgery.

Speaking to the media near the scene on Friday, Superintendent Stuart Johnson praised the bravery of the school staff, students and parents who stepped in to halt the attack.

He told reporters: "I would just like to pay tribute to the very brave individuals who, without too much thought for their own safety, intervened at the time of the incident this morning."

Those who apprehended the man had been confronted by a very frightening scene, he said, adding: "They showed tremendous bravery in intervening and actually detaining the suspect.

"In my opinion - based on medical evidence - they clearly prevented far more serious injuries to Chloe."

News of the charges brought against Tomlinson came after Chloe's parents issued a statement thanking those who came to her aid outside the school at about 8.40am.

Nigel and Rosemary West, who live with their daughter less than a mile from the school, said she was making a good recovery following treatment.

In a statement issued by Birmingham Children's Hospital the teenager's father said: "We would like to thank all students, parents and teachers who helped Chloe at the scene.

"We do not know the names of all those who helped but we look forward to meeting them as soon as we can.

"We'd also like to thank the emergency services who responded so quickly and gave Chloe the very best of care, both at the scene and at the hospital."

Requesting that the family be afforded privacy while Chloe continues her recovery, Mr West concluded the statement by saying: "The surgeons have done a remarkable job of closing Chloe's wounds and are confident of a good recovery.

"However, whilst the physical scars may fade, the memories of the day's events will remain forever."

The school, a specialist science college, was closed in the aftermath of the incident but will reopen as normal on Monday.

Any witnesses, or anyone with information, is urged to contact Dudley Police on 0345 113 500