Man who tried to kill nine-year-old girl jailed

A man who stabbed a nine-year-old girl in an attempt to kill her has been jailed today.

Jordan Wilkes, 29, was convicted after trial of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article.

The victim and her friend were playing in a communal stairwell on 20 August 2024 when Wilkes left his flat and stabbed the girl three times with a penknife. 

The girls fled to a neighbour’s flat, who called the emergency services and attempted to treat the victim’s injuries.

Wilkes admitted to intending to cause the girl serious harm but denied trying to kill her.

Building the case

During his arrest, Wilkes directed officers to his bedside table where he had stored the murder weapon. After forensic testing, the victim’s blood was found on the blade of the knife, and Wilkes’ DNA on the handle.

In a subsequent search of the flat, officers also found a clump of the girl’s hair in a piece of folded paper, which had been disposed of in the kitchen bin.

However, perhaps most concerning was the evidence found on Wilkes’ mobile phone.

For months, Wilkes had been obsessively searching for incidents of murder and violence, including those of the murder of James Bulger and the Southport murders, which had occurred just three weeks prior.

Prosecutors with CPS Wessex utilised this evidence along with eyewitness and expert testimony to ultimately prove that Wilkes intended to murder the little girl.

The jury at Bournemouth Crown Court unanimously found him guilty of attempted murder on 7 March 2025.

Wilkes was sentenced today to 30 years’ imprisonment, with an extended licence period of a further five years.

Kelly Newman, a Senior Crown Prosecutor with CPS Wessex, said: "Jordan Wilkes has proven himself to be a highly dangerous individual with an obscene interest in knives and violence.

"Despite his attempts to deny his intent, our prosecution team meticulously constructed a compelling case that exposed his true motives to a jury.

"Examination of all the available evidence, particularly his disturbing online search history in the weeks before this attack, revealed his hideous intentions to kill and harm children.

“This attack represents every parent's worst nightmare – believing their child is innocently and safely playing, only to be targeted in such a horrific manner. 

“We have been moved by the bravery of the victim and her friend throughout this process. We hope that they can begin to heal from such a terrifying ordeal. 

"The CPS, working closely with our criminal justice partners, remains committed to building robust cases and securing justice for victims."