THIS IS the moment a 17-year-old boy slashed at pupils and teachers with broken glass after storming a school screaming “I’m going to kill you”.
Video footage shows Louis Melotte launching into a frenzied attack in the reception area of Birley Academy in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, before being bravely apprehended by two staff members.
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He was today given a 10-year extended sentence comprising five years in a young offender institution and an extended licence period of five years.
Melotte posted a series of disturbing messages on social media and warned people “today is the day” before walking into the school and assaulting three people, including a 12-year-old pupil.
Following the sentencing, South Yorkshire Police released CCTV footage which shows the attacker entering the school grounds with a shard of broken glass hidden up his sleeve.
He can then be seen talking to a receptionist before attacking his youngest victim who escaped any harm thanks to the quick-thinking of Molly Bulmer and Alicia Richards.
Ms Bulmer, who worked at the school as a youth and integration coordinator, bravely stepped in to apprehend Melotte, with additional help provided by receptionist Ms Richards, who thought she was “going to die” at the hands of the teenager.
In her victim impact statement which was read out at court, she said: “In truth I do not think I have 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 life changing injuries is baffling to me.
“It is clear to me, as proven by his actions, that he [Melotte] is a very dangerous person. I feel very fortunate to be alive.”
Melotte, of Jaunty Avenue, Sheffield, was found guilty of three counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court earlier this month.
He had already pleaded guilty to two counts of wounding without intent and possession of a sharply pointed article on a school premises.
An order preserving his anonymity was lifted by the judge following his conviction.
The school was forced into lockdown during the attack on May 1, with a huge police response triggered.
Judge Jeremy Richardson KC said on Friday he would be recommending Ms Bulmer and Ms Richards for commendations for their bravery.
Speaking to Ms Bulmer directly, Judge Richardson said: “I think you should be terribly proud of yourself for what you did.
“You didn’t stand back, nor did your colleague. Not a bit of it. You went forward.
“You had no idea what he had in his hands.”
The judge said: “Without a thought for your own safety you went forward to protect school children.
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“That’s a courageous thing to do, a really courageous thing to do, and you should be really proud of yourself, because you made a difference.
“Both you and your colleague are deserving of high praise for what you did.”
Ms Bulmer, who works with children at risk of exclusion, said she had struggled to go back to the school after the incident and felt this meant the pupils she worked with were victims too.
Earlier this year, a jury heard how Melotte shared a series of posts on social media on the day of the attack, including one which said: “Today is the day; a calling from the Lord Jesus Christ has been cast upon me.
“To do what God Almighty thinks is necessary.”
The court heard how he smashed a glass at home before calmly walking the 20 minutes to the school with the pieces hidden up his sleeve.
As he launched his attack, he was heard to say: “I’m going to kill everyone.”
Melotte, who sat in the dock wearing a bright blue jacket over a black shirt, was found guilty of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent earlier this year and had previously pleaded guilty to taking a bladed article into a school.
The judge accepted that the defendant was autistic and had mental health problems, including suffering from psychosis at the time of the incident.
He said this explained “up to a point” what happened, but the judge added: “You knew what you were doing, of that there is no doubt.”
Judge Richardson said he accepted Melotte had a troubled upbringing and said he was extremely worried by white supremacist material he had posted online.
The judge said: “Protection of the public must be my lodestar in this case.”
He said: “Schools and colleges are places of learning. They are also places where those attending, whether pupils or staff, must feel safe. They must be kept safe.”
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