Woman jailed after stabbing teenage girl in back

A woman who stabbed a teenage girl in the back as she hugged her has been locked up.

Kirsty Kemp, who was known to the victim, turned up at her home in Clifton, Nottingham, on the evening of 4 October 2025 in an intoxicated state.

The 36-year-old asked the young woman to go for a walk with her to help clear her head.

Close to Clifton Leisure Centre, in Southchurch Drive, Kemp said she needed a hug.

When the teenager embraced Kemp she felt a punch to her back and began to feel pain and blood pouring from a wound.

Kemp put the weapon in her dressing gown pocket and walked off without speaking.

The victim was able to flag down members of the public to help outside a nearby takeaway.

Police were called and arrived at the scene minutes later where they found the victim slumped in the road.

She was taken to hospital and needed stitches to a stab wound.

Kemp was arrested and interviewed where she initially denied intending to cause serious harm to the victim.

Kemp, of Colesbourne Road, Nottingham, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

At Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday (12 March) she was jailed for three years and six months and handed a restraining order. 

Detective Constable Jamie Hinks, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“Kemp is fortunate the victim was not more seriously injured after this appalling attack.

“Kemp had asked the young woman for a hug and when she offered support stabbed her in the back.

“I’d like to thank the members of the public who stopped to assist the victim before emergency services arrived.

“Simply by carrying a knife Kemp was committing a very serious offence.

“The force works hard to arrest knife carriers and seize these weapons while educating people about the issue.”