15-year-old boy convicted of murdering fellow pupil
On 3rd February 2025 15-year-old Harvey Willgoose was tragically stabbed to death at All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield. Following a six-week trial, prosecuted by Richard Thyne KC and Gordon Stables, another 15-year-old boy has been convicted of Harvey’s murder.
The defence case at trial was that the boy had acted instinctively, and had either not formed a specific intent to cause really serious harm, or alternatively that he had suffered from a legal loss of control, which reduced his responsibility from murder to manslaughter.
The prosecution case was that the defendant had stabbed Harvey as an act of retribution. He had a history of violent behaviour both in and out of school, he had a longstanding and unhealthy interest in weapons, and it was also discovered that he had previously smuggled a knife into school on at least one occasion.
The case has been adjourned for reports to be prepared before sentence which will take place in October.
Richard and Gordon were instructed by Jamie Ratcliffe at CPS Yorkshire & Humberside.
The case has received significant media coverage including Sky News, the BBC, ITV, the Guardian, the Times, the Daily Mail and the CPS Yorkshire and Humberside website.
