Alfie Lewis collapsed and 'fell face first' after fatal stabbing, court told

A headteacher who witnessed the fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old boy has told a court how the teenager collapsed and "fell face first onto the pavement".

Alfie Lewis was attacked on Church Road in Horsforth, Leeds, last November and died later in hospital.

Dr Paul Bell, headteacher of Horsforth School, told a trial jury at Leeds Crown Court on Friday that Alfie had told him: "I've been stabbed."

A 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named due to his age, denies Alfie's murder.

'Oval of blood'

Mr Bell told the court that he had been on duty at an exit gate on the afternoon of 7 November 2023 when he saw "what looked like a fight".

He said he heard someone shout, "what are you doing?" and he then "started running" towards the scene of the incident.

"It must have taken me no more than seven or eight seconds to get there," Mr Bell said.

"After I had started running, I could see that Alfie sank to his knees at one point, then he got up. I was the first person who got to him.

"He said to me, 'I've been stabbed, I've been stabbed'. I could see he was wearing a t-shirt and there was an oval of blood appearing."

Dr Bell said he attempted to get Alfie out of the road and it was then that the teenager "just collapsed and he fell face first onto the pavement".

Alfie was taken to Leeds General Infirmary where he was pronounced dead at about 16:00 GMT.

The court was previously told that Alfie had been stabbed in the chest and leg.

A post-mortem examination revealed the fatal stab injury was a 5.5in (14cm)-deep wound which had punctured his heart.

'Loyal friend'

Dr Bell told the court that Alfie had previously been a pupil at Horsforth School.

He said while he had had behavioural challenges and had been given various sanctions, the teenager also had many positive qualities and was a "good and loyal friend" to other pupils.

Alfie had later enrolled on a skills programme at Leeds City College, Mr Bell added.

The defendant, who was 14 at the time, admitted a knife possession charge at an earlier hearing, but denies murder.

The trial continues.

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