A JUDGE has ordered that public protection must be at the forefront of a report compiled ahead of the sentencing of a boy, 14, who stabbed a teacher in the stomach at a Bradford secondary school.

The teenager was yesterday remanded in custody to await sentencing after he pleaded guilty to wounding Vincent Uzomah with intent.

The 50-year-old teacher was taken to hospital after he was stabbed in front of other pupils at the start of a science class at Dixons Kings Academy in Lidget Green, on June 11.

The boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was arrested in Bradford City Park about six hours later following an intensive search by police.

He had his head bowed and his hands clasped in front of him for most of yesterday's ten-minute appearance at Bradford Crown Court.

Asked to confirm his name by the court clerk, he replied: "Yes, sir."

Dressed in blue jeans and a dark, zipped-up quilted jacket, the slim teenager gazed at the floor as he pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempting to murder Vincent Uzomah on June 11.

He then pleaded guilty to unlawfully and maliciously wounding Mr Uzomah, with intent to do him grievous bodily harm, on the same date.

Prosecutor Jonathan Sharp said the Crown had been informed that the plea was to be offered and had had the opportunity to consider it with the police, Crown Prosecution Service and the victim in the case.

Mr Sharp told Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC: "That plea to count two is acceptable, and I would invite the court to deal with count one as appropriate at the end of the proceedings."

He said the court would wish for a psychiatric report to be prepared.

Judge Durham Hall ordered a pre-sentence report and said: "I need the issues of public protection to be at the forefront of this."

He said there were very real additional problems over and above the gravity of the offence.

Judge Durham Hall said it was a very troubling case and the defendant was "undoubtedly a very troubled young man".

He told the boy his plea had been tendered very properly and at a very early time.

He remanded him into custody until the sentencing hearing, at a date to be confirmed, but likely to be in August.

Mr Uzomah was stabbed once in the stomach with a kitchen knife the boy, a pupil at the school, had brought from home.

It is understood it followed a disagreement over the use of a mobile phone.

Mr Uzomah last week issued a statement thanking the doctors and nurses, and all health care professionals who had worked so hard to save his life.

He said: "I have always heard and read that the NHS is a first class service, and now I have experienced it. Thank God for the NHS."

Senior staff at the school were due to visit Mr Uzomah today and say his recovery continues to be their main priority.

After yesterday's hearing, Sir Nick Weller, executive principal of Dixons Academies, said they were pleased to hear Mr Uzomah's statement.

He said: "Our main priority, as a school, is his recovery, and supporting that in any way that we can.

"Any matters relating to the investigation and charging are for the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, and the family themselves."

The stabbing of Mr Uzomah re-ignited the debate about security in schools.