Formby stabbing: Police charge teen following attack on 16-year-old in church graveyard

Mersyside police have charged a teenager after a 16-year-old boy was stabbed in a Formby church graveyard on Tuesday afternoon.

Eighteen-year-old Sonny Collins, of Maple Close, Seaforth has been charged with robbery, possession of a bladed article and possession of a Class B drug (cannabis).

He has been remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Friday.

The victim, who was attacked in the grounds of Our Lady of Compassion church on School Lane at around 4.55pm, remains in hospital in a stable condition.

A local parishioner, who has attended the church for 52 years, said: “We are so shocked and saddened about what has happened, our prayers go out to the lad who has been stabbed and his family.

“Something needs to be done to prevent these types of incidents happening, we’re so upset that this has happened in Formby.”

Reaction from the church

The church posted a statement on its Facebook page expressing sadness about the incident and cancelled services at the church on Wednesday.

The church said police have now completed forensic work and normal services have resumed today [Thursday].

Anyone with information is asked to DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 673 of 8 March.