Birmingham Teens Accused of Attempted Murder in Snapchat Knife Sale Plot
Two teenagers, both aged 17, are currently on trial at Birmingham Crown Court, accused of attempting to murder a 15-year-old boy who was selling knives through Snapchat. The shocking case has revealed a disturbing sequence of events that unfolded in the Bordesley Green area last summer.
The victim, a 15-year-old boy whose identity is protected by reporting restrictions, was allegedly lured to Pretoria Road in Bordesley Green on July 4, 2025, shortly after 6 p.m. Prosecutors claim he was there to meet someone who had contacted him through social media to purchase two knives.
Violent Attack in Bordesley Green
According to prosecutor Raj Punia, who opened the case before the jury, the victim walked along Pretoria Road to the designated meeting point. Suddenly, three males emerged from an alleyway. One of them, described as "the stabber" by Ms. Punia, immediately attacked the boy with a knife.
The second defendant allegedly held the victim during the stabbing, while a third male reportedly stood back and watched the assault unfold. The court heard that the boy pleaded with his attackers, saying "take what you want just leave me alone" and repeatedly begging them to stop, but the stabbing continued even after he dropped the shoebox containing the knives.
Ms. Punia detailed how the victim was backed into the road during the attack and was chased by the defendants when he managed to break free. He eventually sought help from a woman outside her home, though she closed the door on him. The boy ultimately made his way home before being hospitalized for his injuries.
Background of Coercion and Social Media Planning
The court learned that several weeks before the attack, the victim had been playing football in a park when he was approached by an unidentified older male who pressured him to sell two knives on his behalf and return the cash. The boy, who didn't know the man's name, was reportedly scared but eventually agreed to advertise the knives on Snapchat after multiple encounters.
Prosecutors presented evidence suggesting the attack was planned in advance through social media messages. On July 3, 2025, the day before the incident, the two defendants allegedly discussed "setting something up at 6pm the next day" in a WhatsApp conversation.
On the day of the attack, the victim was contacted by an "unknown buyer" who agreed to purchase two knives for £50 and said he would send his "boy" to collect them. This setup led the victim to the fateful meeting on Pretoria Road.
Legal Proceedings and Evasion Attempts
Both 17-year-old defendants deny the charge of attempted murder. The court heard that one defendant has pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of wounding with intent as well as having a knife in public. Ms. Punia stated there is "no dispute" that this defendant stabbed the boy.
The second defendant, accused of holding the victim during the stabbing, has admitted being present but denies having any joint intent to kill or cause serious harm.
Perhaps most disturbingly, the prosecution revealed messages between the defendants discussing how to "get away with the crime." These conversations allegedly included plans for "disposing of weapons, laying low" and "going down the mental health route" by claiming to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
In one message presented to the court, someone suggested "say you suffer from ADHD mental health issues" as part of creating an alibi. Other messages referenced disposing of a "Rambo knife" and clothing used during the attack.
The teenager who allegedly stabbed the victim was arrested two days after the incident and answered "no comment" to police questions. The second defendant was detained on August 30, 2025, with investigators accessing his phone to examine messages between the co-accused.
The trial continues at Birmingham Crown Court as the jury considers the evidence in this troubling case of youth violence and social media-facilitated crime.
