Teenager smashed into Former School armed with Knives

Bilal Umar, aged 18, of Derby, was sentenced to nine years in youth detention after he smashed his way into his former school armed with two knives.

It was heard that the “very, very disturbing” actions were carried out when he was 17.

During his trial in the summer, it was heard that 16 days before he forced his way into Landau Forte College, on Fox Street, Umar posted a concerning Snapchat message.

In it, he said: “I’ve decided to do it, this school shooting at Landau and I want to get (kill) like 10.

“It’s going to be the first one in the UK.”

On December 10, 2020, Umar visited the Countryman of Derby gun shop to enquire about buying a semi-automatic rifle.

But because he was 17 and did not have a firearms licence, he was not sold anything.

Victoria Rose, prosecuting, said at 12:25 pm, Umar was spotted on CCTV outside his former school shadow boxing.

He then used a brick to smash a glass entrance which was locked as pupils were in lessons.

Umar claimed through the smashed door and then down corridors past students, scaling steps and leaning over a bannister where he was then challenged by a teacher.

Miss Rose said: “(The teacher) is seen to lower the hood the defendant was wearing over his head to check he is the person he thinks he is.

“It is quite clear he has several layers of clothing on.

“He was wearing a stab vest, the police arrived and on him were two knives, one of which was hidden in the stab vest.”

Umar was arrested and taken to a police station where he was seen by a nurse.

She continued: “He told her he had been awake all night thinking and planning what he was going to do.”

Police seized his electronic devices.

Analysis found evidence that the night before the incident, Umar had carried out an internet search for Nikolas Cruz who, in 2018, opened fire on students and staff at his school in Florida, killing 17 people and injuring 17 more.

A Landau Forte College teacher said he found Umar at the top of the stairs wearing a stab vest.

The teacher said: “I recognised the logo on the front of it from a comic, it was a Marvel character called The Punisher, it is like a skull with elongated teeth.”

Umar was found guilty of aggravated burglary with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He previously pleaded guilty to possessing the knives on the school premises.

In mitigation, Eddy Leonard said: “There is a softer side to this young man, he is writing a novel and is concentrating on drawing.

“At no point did he produce the knives.”

Judge Shaun Smith QC said: “This is very, very, disturbing indeed and I have no hesitation in concluding that at this very moment in time, even despite your age of 18, you represent a significant risk to the public of serious harm.

“This was a school with hundreds of pupils in there, it was school time, they and the teachers were put in danger by you.”

“I am very, very, concerned about the level of risk you present towards the public.”

Judge Smith praised the bravery of two teachers, adding:

“They took the heat out of the situation showing remarkable calmness avoiding any kind of panic.”

As part of his commendation, he awarded them £500 each.

Umar was sentenced to nine years in youth detention. He also received a 15-year restraining order, banning him from visiting Landau Forte or contacting a named individual.

Following his conviction, a spokesperson for Landau Forte said:

“We are incredibly proud of our quick-thinking and courageous staff – their actions meant that no students or staff were hurt in the incident.

“At no point was a knife revealed, but it was clear that swift and decisive action was needed.

“This was clearly an upsetting situation at the time, and the court case has brought it all back to mind for everyone, but it is very positive news that the criminal justice system has found him guilty.”