A BOY stabbed another Horizon Community College pupil going out with his ex-girlfriend after she goaded him into a jealous rage.

The 14-year-old hurt his victim with a penknife, but didn't cause a serious injury, Barnsley Youth Court was told.

The attacker had gone out with the girl for about six months but they broke up, said Gus Kennedy, defending.

Mr Kennedy said: "She was his first girlfriend and a blow like that can hit someone aged 14 very hard.

"It had been a bad day. There had been problems with the ex-girlfriend during the morning break. His temper was aggravated when there was a row with a teacher and he had to spend the rest of the day working alone."

Mr Kennedy said the attack happened on Shaw Lane after school.

He said the former girlfriend called the 14-year-old, from Darton, names and he 'lost it'.

The boy told police later: "I targeted her new boyfriend. There was probably a bit of jealousy because I still have feelings for her. I wanted to cause damage to the new boyfriend but not a serious injury."

Tim Warburton, prosecuting, said the penknife had a 5cm blade. He said the victim, who was also 14 at the time, felt what he thought was a tap on his shoulder. Moments later, he noticed he was bleeding.

Mr Warburton said a doctor described the wound to the victim's right shoulder as 'superficial'.

District Judge John Foster told the boy, who wants to be a journalist, he had come close to being locked up and should have walked away when he was provoked.

Mr Foster said: "This girl is not worth spending time with and is no longer a friend of yours. If you have aspirations, you need to have high self-esteem.

"That relationship with the girl was finished. That does not make you a worse person. You have got to walk through life with your head held high.

"I'm deeply concerned about the way you reacted. You deliberately stabbed a boy. You stabbed him to cause him pain but not serious injury or worse."

The boy admitted having a knife in public and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He was given a 12-month referral order, the longest order a youth court can impose.