Man 'inspired' by Southport attack jailed for stabbing girl, 9, in the neck

Jordan Thomas Wilkes, aged 29, has been sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment, with an extended five-year licence period, following his conviction for the attempted murder of a nine-year-old girl in Christchurch, Dorset. The sentencing took place at Bournemouth Crown Court on 23 April 2025, after a jury found him guilty on 7 March 2025.

The incident occurred on 20 August 2024, when the young victim and her friend were playing in the communal stairwell of a residential block in Glider Close. Wilkes emerged from his flat and, without provocation, attacked the girl with a penknife, stabbing her in the neck, chest, and knee. He also tore a clump of hair from her head, which he later kept in a folded piece of paper, allegedly as a “trophy,” until his mother instructed him to dispose of it.

The girls managed to escape and sought refuge in a neighbour’s flat, where emergency services were called. The victim was transported to hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Medical reports indicated that the neck wound narrowly missed major arteries, which could have resulted in fatal blood loss.

During the investigation, Wilkes directed officers to his bedside table, where the penknife used in the attack was found. Forensic analysis confirmed the presence of the victim’s blood on the blade and Wilkes’ DNA on the handle. A search of his flat revealed multiple knives hidden around the premises. Additionally, a clump of the girl’s hair was discovered in the kitchen bin.

Further examination of Wilkes’ mobile phone uncovered 69 files related to violent crimes involving children, including videos, news articles, and podcasts.

These materials detailed notorious cases such as the Axel Rudakubana Southport dance class killings in July 2024 and the Parkland school shooting in Florida in 2018. Notably, Wilkes had accessed information about the Southport murders shortly after they occurred and had searched for local dance classes the following day.

Prosecutor Berenice Mulvanny presented this evidence to the court, highlighting Wilkes’ disturbing interest in child murders. She stated that Wilkes had previously received a 14-month suspended sentence for assaulting an eight-year-old boy in 2016, an incident where he punched, kicked, and stamped on the child’s head, rendering him unconscious. In 2020, Wilkes was suspected of setting fire to a pram outside his flat, and in 2022, he was reported for verbally abusing a child with special educational needs.

During sentencing, Judge William Mousley KC addressed Wilkes, stating:

“You are a dangerous offender. There is a significant risk of you causing serious harm to others in the future. This was a very serious offence, as an attempt to kill a nine-year-old child. It was short-lived and not premeditated; you lost your temper. You had an interest in child-killing, and you decided to try it out for yourself.”

The judge commended the bravery of the victim and her friend, acknowledging the psychological harm suffered by the girl, who is now permanently scarred. A victim impact statement from the girl’s mother described her daughter as previously “happy and carefree,” now struggling with anxiety, sleeplessness, and a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Defence counsel Nick Robinson described Wilkes as leading an “isolated” life with his mother and possessing a low IQ of 72, presenting as someone much younger. He argued that the attack was

“unplanned and spontaneous,”

and that Wilkes was remorseful for his actions and their impact on the victim and her family.

In a statement following the sentencing, the victim’s family expressed that

“justice had been delivered,”

acknowledging the trauma endured and the resilience shown by their daughter.

Detective Chief Inspector Aimee Schock of Dorset Police commented:

“This was a horrific knife attack on a defenceless young girl that could easily have had fatal consequences. I want to thank the young victim in this case and her friend for the courage they have shown in giving evidence and helping to build a case against Jordan Wilkes, which ultimately led to his conviction for attempted murder.”

Wilkes was sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment for attempted murder, with a concurrent two-year sentence for possession of a bladed article, and an extended licence period of five years upon release.

Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.