A stark warning has been sent to young people in Liverpool after a spate of stabbings.

Police warned about a disturbing string of knife crimes involving teenagers after a 14-year-old boy was wounded.

The attack, which allegedly involved another three other minors, came a day after another 14-year-old was convicted of murdering Ava White.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how he stabbed the schoolgirl, 12, in the neck over a row about a Snapchat video.

He was told he faces a life sentence after a jury found him guilty of the city centre attack in November 2021.

The boy had denied Ava’s murder and claimed he accidentally stabbed the schoolgirl in the neck in self-defence, saying he was trying to ‘frighten her away’.

Just 24 hours later the court proceedings ended, a boy was stabbed just an eight minute walk from where Ava was fatally wounded.

Three boys, two aged 15 and one aged 17, from Anfield, Litherland and Crosby, were arrested following the incident.

The victim was treated by paramedics at the scene and did not need hospital treatment, police said.

Merseyside Police’s chief Inspector Phil Mullally said: ‘Our message to any young person who is thinking of carrying of a knife is crystal clear: it is just not worth the risk of causing serious injury or harm to yourself and others.

‘It was only through extreme good fortune that the young man who was hurt yesterday did not suffer very serious injuries – or worse.

‘Just this week we have seen the devastating consequences of carrying and using a knife as a 14-year-old boy was found guilty of the murder of Ava White.

‘Her family and community are enduring unimaginable pain following her murder and her attacker is now facing significant time behind bars.

‘I quite simply say – please don’t carry a knife and risk such unbearable tragedy happen to you or your family.

‘I would appeal to all young people who think about carrying a knife to seriously consider the consequences – you could end up jailed, killed or injured and bring serious suffering upon your loved ones and others.’

Speaking outside court, detective superintendent Sue Coombs had vowed to tackle the scourge of knife crime following the Ava White case.

She said: ‘Today, a 14-year-old boy has been convicted of her murder but the conclusion of this legal process by no means brings to an end their grief and suffering.’

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