A 15-year-old boy who stabbed another teenager in the stomach with a 10-inch knife has been convicted.

The boy was 14 at the time of the incident in Verulamium Park in St Albans on June 15.

He was found guilty of Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), possession of a knife and Actual Bodily Harm (ABH).

The stabbing occurred when the victim stepped in to defend a boy who was set upon by the 15-year-old and an accomplice.

The victim, a 16-year-old boy from London Colney, was then stabbed in the stomach by the 15-year-old.

Emergency services were called and the boy was airlifted to hospital for emergency surgery to repair his gallbladder and his stomach – he was also cut on the scalp.

The following day, the 15-year-old boy was arrested along with another 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy.

The 15-year-old boy was found guilty of all three charges yesterday, and has been remanded in custody.

Another 15-year-old boy was found guilty of ABH and released on bail to await his sentencing.

The two boys will be sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on December 19.

PC Jody Perrin, who investigated, said: “It is only by sheer luck that the young stab victim in this case was not killed on that day.

“His injuries were severe, and he needed to be airlifted to hospital for emergency surgery and he still continues to suffer pain.

“These attacks were completely unprovoked, and the offenders went to the park that day looking for trouble.

“They didn’t give a second thought to the consequences of their actions on their victims or indeed the impact on their own young lives and those of their family.

“I hope this case sends a clear message to the young people in our community that knife crime and violence will not be tolerated in St Albans, or anywhere in Hertfordshire.”