A SCHOOLBOY who was affected by his father's death stabbed a woman eight times, a court heard.

The Accrington youngster launched his attack the day after he was seen hanging about near his victim's house.

It was alleged he had told someone he wanted to scare her because of the effect her "verbal abuse" was having on him.

The boy, now 14, was sentenced to three years detention by a high court judge in Preston.

He had pleaded guilty to a charge of wounding with intent which occurred while he was aged 13. His earlier denial of an attempted murder charge had been accepted by the prosecution. An order was made preventing his identification.

Rowena Goode, prosecuting, said the stabbing followed a family rift following the father's death. On October 23 last year, the day before the incident, the boy was seen hanging around in the vicinity of her home.

Next day he went back and must have taken a kitchen knife with him. The knife, which had a serrated blade, had an overall length of 22 centimetres. He knocked at the door and she thought it was the milkman. When the door was opened the boy proceeded to stab her a number of times.

There were eight specific stab wounds. The wounds of gravity were to the chest and the abdomen and the effects included a partial collapse of the lung. Eventually, the woman made a good physical recovery.

Defence counsel Tony Cross said: "Were it not for the death of his father, the shadow of crime would never have visited this young man's door. But for this one incident he would not have committed a criminal action in his life."

The youth had had a life full of promise. He was described as being racked with remorse for his actions. In the months that followed the boy came very near to post traumatic shock.

"It is an exceptional case," said Mr Cross. The youngster had spent the last nine months in custody and was said to be doing exceptionally well.

Mr Justice Sachs told the boy, who was of previous good character: "You faced a hard situation as a result of your father's death, but your response to it was quite inappropriate. I accept you are now remorseful and you have done exceptionally well in secure care."