Published: October 21, 2011
by JOSH LOEB

A PUPIL was stabbed in the stomach on his lunch break after he refused to hand over his mobile phone, a court heard.

The boy, now 18 years old, was attacked by a 26-year-old man in Oakington Road, outside Paddington Academy, on March 25th.

Joao Fernandez-Costa, of Cricklewood, was today (Friday) ordered to remain in a secure mental health unit in Broadmoor Hospital until it is safe for him to be released.

The paranoid schizophrenic admitted intentionally wounding the 17-year-old at a hearing in Southwark Crown Court in August.

The court heard today that Fernandez-Costa's mother had alerted psychiatrists about her son prior to the attack and had hidden kitchen knives in her laundry basket in fear he could stab someone.

He was arrested at home with his mother two days after he stabbed the boy several times with a pen knife.

Judge Stephen Robbins said: “She had done everything that she could to try and avoid this situation with her son. She is to be commended for that although unfortunately her efforts could not prevent this.”

The victim – now 18 – recovered from the injuries. The court heard the boy, who suffers from autism, felt too scared to return to school.

Prosecuting barrister Lesley Jones said: “He left school for the lunchtime break and he was approached by the defendant who demanded his mobile telephone. The victim ran away in a panic along Oakington Road and he was chased by the defendant.”

He said Mr Fernandez-Costa stabbed the victim “several times” with a pen knife with a 3-4 inch blade, lacerating his liver and puncturing the lung.

Ms Jones said: “His mother had expressed great concern for her son.

"He had been suffering from mental health problems for a number of years and he was diagnosed as schizophrenic and in fact his mother mentioned in her statement that she concealed sharp knives in a laundry basket and locked her door because she was so concerned about her son.”

The victim's uncle submitted an impact statement to the court in which he said his nephew had become withdrawn since the stabbing and would not talk to his family about the incident.

Lubeya Ramadhan, defending, said Mr Fernandez-Costa had expressed regret for the assault, adding: “It's not something he was in control of on the day and he wishes to apologise to the victim.”