Mum of murdered boy calls for killer to be named

The parents of a schoolboy who was murdered by a fellow pupil on his lunchbreak have called for an order protecting the identity of his 15-year-old killer to be lifted.

Harvey Willgoose, who was also 15, died when he was stabbed in the heart with a hunting knife at All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield on 3 February.

Harvey's killer cannot be named because of his age. However, the BBC and other media have applied to have the anonymity order protecting his identity lifted.

Harvey's mum Caroline told the BBC her son's name had been "tarnished" throughout the trial, adding: "He hasn't been able to speak up for himself and he's been named. The defendant should be as well."

Harvey's killer was found guilty of his murder on Friday at Sheffield Crown Court.

The trial judge, Mrs Justice Ellenbogen, is expected to make a decision on whether to lift the order when the 15-year-old is sentenced in October.

Harvey's parents, who have set up a youth club in his memory, reiterated their earlier call to install knife arches in schools.

"Get knife arches in, then get educating children about the pure devastation that knife crime brings," said Mrs Willgoose.

"Children know there are knives in schools. Something needs to be done."

Mrs Willgoose, who has campaigned against knife crime since her son's death, added: "If you don't think there's a problem, ask your child if they have ever known of anybody bringing a knife into school.

"I think parents would be very interested in their answer."

Mrs Willgoose said her son avoided school in part due to anxiety caused by the coronavirus pandemic, but also because of a fear about knives in schools.

Harvey's dad Mark said the youth club, Harvey's Hub, would teach young people about the dangers of knife crime.

He said the family had previously met with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to discuss the issue.

A government spokesperson said it was committed to halving knife crime over the next decade through its Plan for Change.

"We have already banned zombie-style knives and ninja swords, and are strengthening age verification for online knife sales," they added.

"We are also piloting new multi-agency Prevention Panels to proactively identify young people most at risk of being drawn into crime and violence, and creating a network of Young Futures hubs in communities across the country – with the first eight opening this year."

The BBC has asked the government where the hubs will be opened.

Harvey was described as a "cheeky chappy" by his teachers

The trial into Harvey's murder heard the school attended by both boys had been put into lockdown in the week before he was stabbed to death after a fight between two other students, with the defendant claiming one of the pupils involved in the fight was armed.

While no weapon was found, Mrs Willgoose said her son had warned the family about pupils carrying knives.

"I hate him being known as the student who got stabbed to death," she said.

"I didn't even want him to go to school that day, I wasn't even bothered in the end. He was determined he was going."

Harvey's family and friends have campaigned against knife crime since his death

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