A teenager, Mohammed Umar Khan, aged 15, has been handed a minimum prison term of 16 years after fatally stabbing his schoolmate, Harvey Willgoose, during a lunch break.
On February 3, 2025, Khan brought a hunting knife to All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield and stabbed Harvey in the chest, an attack witnessed by numerous shocked students. Following a judge’s decision, Khan’s identity has now been made public.
Harvey Willgoose
During the incident, many pupils fled in terror, with some locking themselves inside cupboards to escape the violence. Khan was convicted of murder in August. Harvey’s sister, Sophie Willgoose, expressed the family’s grief, stating the killing was “not only an attack on my brother but on all of us who cherished him.”
At the sentencing hearing held on October 22 at Sheffield Crown Court, Judge Mrs Justice Ellenbogen remarked, “You initiated the attack, driven by feelings of hurt and anger over what you perceived as a betrayal of your friendship.”
The judge also lifted the previous restriction on revealing Khan’s identity after requests from several media outlets, including the PA news agency. She emphasized the importance of public awareness in such a grave case, while also considering the welfare of the defendant, who will turn 16 next month.
Mrs Justice Ellenbogen stated, “This was a grave offense committed by one student against another on school grounds, using a knife brought from outside. The attack was witnessed by both pupils and staff.”
“The public has a right to know the identities of those involved in such incidents to better understand how someone so young could commit such an act.”
Harvey’s parents, Mark and Caroline, along with other family members including Sophie, observed the proceedings from the courtroom’s public gallery.
In her heartfelt statement, Sophie Willgoose shared the family’s ongoing struggle to come to terms with the brutal and merciless loss of Harvey.
She said, “This was not merely a crime against my brother; it was an assault on all of us who loved him deeply.”
Ms. Willgoose added, “The pain of this loss will stay with us forever. We seek justice not only for Harvey but for the family that will bear this grief eternally.”
She revealed that the family is tormented daily by the CCTV footage of the attack, especially since Khan has refused to accept responsibility for his actions.
“The defendant didn’t just take Harvey’s life; he shattered ours as well,” Sophie concluded.
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