A TRIAL date has been set for a teen accused of murdering a 15-year-old boy who was stabbed twice in the heart with a “hunting knife” at school.
Harvey Willgoose was allegedly ambushed at All Saints Catholic High School, in Sheffield, on Monday in front of horrified staff and pupils.
Harvey Willgoose was knifed to death at school[/caption]
His alleged killer, who legally can’t be identified due to his age, has appeared in court[/caption]
A 15-year-old boy, who legally can’t be named, appeared at Sheffield Crown Court today charged with murder.
The teen, who is also accused of possession of a bladed article and affray, spoke only to confirm his identity.
He was remanded into custody to next appear at the same court for a plea hearing on April 28.
A provisional trial due to last for four weeks was set for June 30.
The court was previously told how the teen allegedly brought a hunting knife to school, which was used in the attack.
Harvey was knifed twice in the heart before he died, it was said.
Heroic teachers raced to perform emergency first aid as the school was placed on lockdown.
Harvey was rushed to hospital in a serious condition but tragically died shortly after.
Tributes have flooded in for the popular schoolboy from his devastated friends and family.
Mum Caroline revealed how Harvey’s final words to her before he left that morning were “I love you”.
She told the BBC: “I have got his grubby t-shirt on so I can smell him.
“I don’t want to go to sleep because I don’t want to wake up and have to relive it all and remember it.”
Why can’t the Sheffield suspect be named?
By Holly Christodoulou, Digital Court Editor
ONCE proceedings become “active” – i.e. someone is charged – the police or the Crown Prosecution Service will name the suspect and release their age and address.
This will also appear on charge sheets and will be heard in open court throughout the case.
However, with the Sheffield school stabbing, the boy is only aged 15.
This means that even from the point of the charge, we have not been able to name him.
He is automatically protected under section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933.
This applies to any defendants who are aged under 18 and means their identity cannot be revealed.
Once they turn 18, unless any special reporting restrictions are placed by a judge, they can be named.
In some circumstances, when a person is found guilty or admits their crime, they may be unmasked in court regardless of their age.
This will sometimes happen pre-conviction too as in the case of Axel Rudakubana.
He was 17 at the point of his first court appearance but a judge lifted the reporting restriction as he was six days from his 18th birthday anyway.
Caroline also described her son as “the life and soul of the party” and “a joy to be around”.
Dad Mark said his son was his “best pal” and described him as a “loveable rogue”.
He continued: “We need to learn from this so no-one goes through what we have as a family.”
In a joint statement, the family said they were “utterly heartbroken” over “beautiful” Harvey’s death.
They added: “Our lives are devastated and will never be the same again. We have lost a beloved son, brother, grandson, cousin, nephew and most importantly, a best friend to all.
“Harvey will be forever known for being a caring, loving and funny young man.”
The horror unfolded at All Saints Catholic High School[/caption]
Harvey’s parents have paid tribute[/caption]
