Teen died on New Year's Eve in 'blink of an eye'

Harry Pitman was stabbed at Primrose Hill during New Year's Eve celebrations

A teenager stabbed in the neck at a New Year's Eve gathering in Primrose Hill died in "the blink of an eye", the Old Bailey has heard.

Harry Pitman, 16, was in a crowd gathered to watch the fireworks display over the River Thames from the north London park when he was fatally injured shortly before midnight.

A boy, aged 16 at the time, is accused of Harry's murder and possessing an offensive weapon.

The defendant, who is now 17 and cannot be named because of his age, denies the offences.

'Revelry turned to tragedy'

Opening the trial, prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward KC said: "Every year, large numbers of members of the public gather on Primrose Hill to celebrate the turning of the new year.

"But last New Year's Eve, 31 December 2023, revelry turned to tragedy in the blink of an eye.

"Harry Pitman, aged 16, was stabbed once, to the neck. He died almost immediately, as a result of that single but deadly injury - a single but deadly injury caused by a knife, brought to the scene by the defendant."

Harry and the defendant were "complete strangers" and had gone there with different groups of friends, Ms Ledward said.

'Positive attitude'

At about 23:00 GMT, Harry had approached Special Constable David Smith in high spirits, offered him a cigarette and asked him if he was having a good time.

Harry seemed excitable and "physically bounced" up to him but was "overall positive in his attitude towards police", the court was told.

About 20 minutes later, Harry and one of his friends became involved in a row with two other young men but two officers intervened and the victim was said to have tried to calm the situation, jurors heard.

Ms Ledward told the court the fatal incident appeared to have been sparked by a scuffle between the "lively and boisterous" Harry and a friend of the defendant shortly after 23:30.

Harry was said to have been "playfighting" and seeing how high he could kick, causing him to lose his balance and bump into the boy standing behind.

On being pushed from behind, Harry responded: "Don't touch me, because I didn't touch you," before someone slapped the back of his head, the court was told.

'Fast moving events'

During the fracas, the defendant's friend fell on his back, jurors were told.

The "fast moving" events that followed were captured on "shocking" and "distressing" mobile phone footage played in court.

The defendant allegedly pushed his way towards Harry, holding his trousers and saying: "Wot wot wot wot wot".

A female voice could be heard to say "mindi" - the Somalian word for knife - as the defendant produced a blade from the waist of his trousers.

Harry swung a punch and the defendant stabbed the teenager in the neck, the court was told.

The knife sheath was seen to fly through the air over their heads, the court heard.

Ms Ledward said: "There is no issue that Harry's fatal injury was caused by the knife in (the defendant's) hand."

Police body-worn footage showed Harry holding his neck, his white T-shirt covered in blood, and moving through the crowd seeking help before he collapsed.

Within minutes, he had died, the court was told.

The defendant was allegedly seen holding a hunting knife as he made off.

Knife use 'no accident'

Ms Ledward suggested the blade - which has not been recovered - may have been thrown in a bin emptied before a police search.

A forensic examination of the scabbard led to a DNA match to the defendant, jurors heard.

After a police appeal, the youth went to Hammersmith police station with his father on 4 January.

In a statement to the police, which was read out in court, he said the "only reason I came to speak to the police" was because "I saw my image being publicised on the Sun newspaper".

He admitted being in the park, but said he left when he was threatened, denying the stabbing and having a weapon, the court heard.

Ms Ledward told jurors there was now no dispute the defendant stabbed Harry.

Likely issues to decide, the court heard, would be whether it was an accident and what he intended.

"The prosecution case is that (the defendant) deliberately plunged that knife into a very vulnerable part of Harry's body - his neck," Ms Ledward said.

"The use of a large-bladed knife in that way and the targeting of that part of Harry's body was no accident."

The trial continues.