A 15-year-old boy has been found guilty of the murder of Sheffield schoolboy Harvey Willgoose.
Harvey, also 15, was killed by a fellow student outside their school cafeteria in February this year.
His parents, Mark and Caroline Willgoose, have told Sky News that school knife crime is “a way of life for kids”.
The defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had brought a 13cm hunting knife with him into All Saints Catholic High School, Sheffield, stabbing Harvey twice in the chest just a few minutes into the lunch break.
The boy had previously admitted manslaughter but denied murder. He was found guilty by a jury on Friday.
Harvey and his father
His defence told the court the defendant had “lost control”, stabbing Harvey after years of bullying and “an intense period of fear at school”.
Moments after stabbing Harvey, he told teachers, “you know I can’t control it” and “I’m not right in the head”.
Giving evidence, the boy told the court he had no recollection of the moment he killed Harvey, something the prosecution said was “a lie”.
They told the jury the schoolboy “wanted to show he was hard” and had become “obsessed” with weapons in the lead up to Harvey’s death, with photographs of him posing with knives found on his phone.
Harvey and his sister
Speaking to Sky News ahead of today’s verdict, Harvey’s mother, Caroline Willgoose, said she felt she had “led [her son] into the lion’s den”.
She said Harvey was a “school avoider” who had “anxiety” about going to school.
“We badgered Harvey into going to school but I don’t think people realise that there is a problem in all schools with knives,” says Mrs Willgoose.
“It’s a way of life now for kids, and it needs to stop.”
During the trial, it was revealed that the defendant had had previous violent outbursts at school, and, a few months before Harvey was stabbed, the school had called the police when the defendant’s mother contacted them to say she had found a weapon in her son’s bag at home.
Harvey’s parents told Sky News’ Katerina Vittozzi they feel that the school did not take previous knife-related incidents “seriously enough” and felt “100%” the outcome might have been different if they had.
The head of St Clare Catholic Multi Academy Trust – a group of schools including All Saints – also told Sky News Harvey’s death “was an unimaginable tragedy for all”.
Steve Davies said: “We think especially of Harvey’s family, loved ones and friends today. We cannot begin to imagine the immeasurable impact the loss of Harvey has had on them.
“Harvey was a much-loved, positive and outgoing pupil whose memory will be cherished by all who knew him. As a community, we have been devastated by his death, and we continue to think of him every day.”
He added: “Harvey’s death was an unimaginable tragedy for all, and one that understandably gives rise to a number of questions from his family and others.
“Now that the trial has finished, a number of investigations aimed at addressing and answering these questions will be able to proceed.
“We will engage fully and openly with them to help ensure every angle is considered and no key questions are left unresolved.”
Describing her son as “a character” who “never stopped smiling, never stopped singing”, Mrs Willgoose said she was now campaigning for “all schools and colleges” to use knife arches.
“I want people to go into schools and talk about the devastation of what knife crime does.”
In an emotional interview with Sky News’ Katerina Vittozzi, Mrs Willgoose said she felt her son was “put here for a reason” and “I can’t let go until I put things right for him”.
“There’s no winners when it comes to knife crime,” she said.
The defendant “has ruined his life, his parent have got an empty bed”, she added. “He’s got to live with this for the rest of his life.”
Harvey’s father, Mark Willgoose, said that his son had had “a short life, but a good life”.
“He crammed everything in, and you’ve just got to try and see the positives in that,” Mr Willgoose added.
“Whatever happens in court, it’ll never be justice. It’ll never be enough.
“I think we’ve just got to make sure Harvey’s death is not going to be in vain, and if whatever we do saves one life, then it’s been worth us doing it.”
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