A man who was sentenced to prison after stabbing a schoolboy in Royal Wootton Bassett is now able to be publicly identified. 

Kyle Hayward, of Partridge Close in Covingham, was 17 years old when he stabbed a teenager and attempted to stab another.

Police officers were first called to the New Road area of Royal Wootton Bassett at around 9.30pm on June 3, 2024, after reports of a stabbing.

Three males all aged 16-17 were arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.

At the time, none of the males or their victims were legally able to be identified due to their age.

Read More: Owen Dunn's mother wants son's teen killer to be named

However, Hayward, who carried out the stabbing, has now been named after he turned 18 on September 29.

This meant that a court order under Section 39 of the Children and Young Person Act preventing the identification of people under the age of 18 no longer applied to him. 

Having pleaded guilty to the stabbing in Swindon Magistrate’s Court on September 18, he has been sentenced to 20 months imprisonment.

The court heard how Hayward was "egged on" by others to stab his first victim in the back, leaving him with lacerations described as ‘incredibly deep' but not fatal.

He then swung the blade towards a second victim, who escaped without any wounds.

The stabbing took place on New Road in Royal Wootton BassettThe stabbing took place on New Road in Royal Wootton Bassett (Image: Google Maps) Prosecutor Keith Ballinger told the court: “The two teenage victims had arranged to go out for a cigarette in the local area when they encountered the three defendants.

“They tried to leave the area but were followed by all three boys. One of the defendants distributed knives and all three boys went on to attack the victims.”

Shortly after the incident took place, Hayward walked to Royal Wootton Bassett Police Station, called 999 and handed himself in.

The decision was described in court as "courageous" but not enough to detract from the seriousness of the offence.

“Kyle has had some horrendous experiences in life for a child of his age. Lots of things have happened to him that were not his fault," said District Judge Apted.

“The letters he wrote to the court are the most moving letters I think I have ever read.

“But I can’t let emotions get the better of my judgement as a judge.”

While Hayward was sentenced to prison time, the other two defendants who cannot be named were given referral orders and a one-year restraining order.