A 17-year-old student from Malaysia, named Thomas Wei Huang, has been identified after a judge lifted a restriction on disclosing his name. Huang was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 12 years for attacking two fellow students and a teacher with a hammer at Blundell’s School in Tiverton, Devon.

The incident occurred on June 9, 2023, when Huang assaulted two of his roommates, aged 15 and 16, while they were asleep, resulting in serious injuries. He also attacked housemaster Henry Roffe-Silvester, who sustained multiple head wounds during the assault. The court proceedings took place at Exeter Crown Court, where Huang was found guilty of three counts of attempted murder. During the trial, he claimed that he was sleepwalking at the time of the attacks.

The decision to reveal Huang’s identity came after a High Court judge lifted an order that had previously prevented the publication of his name. The jury learned that Huang had gathered weapons in preparation for what he described as a zombie apocalypse.

In her remarks during sentencing, Judge Mrs Justice Cutts stated: “You knew the difference between right and wrong and you intended to kill those boys.” This comment emphasized the premeditated nature of the attacks.

In related news, nearby residents were evacuated as a precaution while emergency services responded to an unrelated incident at The Old Well Garden Centre in Devon. Local fire crews remain active in the area amidst ongoing work.

Additionally, Blundell’s School has reported facing threats from individuals looking to steal sensitive information. This situation highlights concerns regarding safety and security within educational institutions in the region.

The events surrounding this tragic incident have left a profound impact on the school community and raised awareness about mental health issues among young people. The case continues to resonate widely as discussions about youth violence and intervention strategies gain prominence in society.