Jordan Wilkes, aged 29, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after being convicted for the attempted murder of a nine-year-old girl in Christchurch, Dorset. The attack occurred on 20 August of the previous year, three weeks after the Southport stabbings.
Wilkes, who had a troubling interest in child killings, approached the victim and her friend while they were playing in the stairwell of his flat in Glider Close. Concealing a folding knife, Wilkes proceeded to stab the girl three times — in the neck, chest, and knee — before forcibly grabbing her by the hair and arm. The victim was fortunate to escape with non-life-threatening injuries, though she suffered psychological and physical trauma.
Prosecutor Berenice Mulvanny revealed that Wilkes had kept a clump of the victim’s hair as a possible “trophy,” which he was later instructed to dispose of by his mother. The young girl managed to flee the scene and get help, alerting emergency services.
A subsequent search of Wilkes’ home uncovered a series of knives hidden around the premises. His mobile phone contained disturbing material, including 69 files related to murders, child killings, and events such as the infamous “Valentine’s Day massacre” in Parkland, Florida.
Judge William Mousley KC, upon sentencing, emphasized the dangerous nature of Wilkes, stating that he posed a significant risk of harm to others in the future. While the attack was not premeditated, Judge Mousley described it as a short-lived but serious attempt to kill the child.
The victim’s family expressed relief after the sentencing, acknowledging the challenges their daughter would continue to face due to the severity of the attack. They stated, “We are extremely fortunate, beyond words, to still have our little girl with us today, given the severity of her injuries.”
Wilkes’ 30-year sentence includes an extended five-year period on licence, reflecting the risk he poses to society.
