Harvey Willgoose Sheffield school murder suspect appears in court as judge speaks out

The teenager accused of killing another teen at school with a ‘Rambo' or 'hunting' style knife will stand trial this July. The 15 year old appeared in Sheffield crown court this morning accused of murdering Harvey Willgoose, also aged 15. Harvey was stabbed in the heart with a hunting knife on Monday around midday, in what was described today in court as a “tragic” event. The Honorable Recorder of Sheffield Jeremy Richardson KC, remanded him into youth detention after telling the teen, who was dressed in a grey tracksuit and sweater, he would get a fair trial. The Judge told the defendant after asking him to stand up: “I am determined you will be tried fairly…your trial is going to take place at the end of June through to July.”.

As he addressed the teenager he blasted several people who came into court late. He said: “I am dealing with a murder case. Anybody who is not in here at the moment. Get out!..those who have just come in Get out. I am not having it. Their discourtesy is appalling.". Turning back to the teenage defendant, he said: “I am so sorry, I am addressing you and it is improper to interrupt a judge when he is addressing a defendant, particularly in a case such as this.”.

The Judge then went on to repeat he was “determined” he would get a fair trial and he would be “fully and well represented” by counsel. He warned him to help his lawyers put together his “defence statement”. He also warned him not to refuse to attend court saying: “Occasionally young people like you think that it will be a good thing if they sit and wait at the remand home and refuse to come to court. Well if you do that, first it will be very silly and secondly we will not wait, the case will just go on without you - so please make sure you turn up for every hearing. Do you understand?”.

The defendant nodded and the Judge said: “Good. ...You are remanded…you will be taken care of but you must remain in custody…”. The boy of 15, who cannot be named for legal reasons, first appeared at a youth court in Sheffield on Wednesday , two days after the fatal stabbing. He was accused of murdering Harvey at All Saints Catholic High School near Sheffield's city centre. He was remanded to a youth detention centre and appeared before the city's crown court on Thursday.

The boy is also charged with possession of a bladed article and affray. He has not entered a plea. At Wednesday’s hearing Rob Coyne, prosecuting, said a "Rambo or hunting style knife... went through Harvey’s ribcage and punctured his heart.". The accused appeared at Sheffield crown court, hours after Harvey ’s mum told how her son’s final words to her were: "I love you." His mum Caroline, 49, told the BBC: "He shouted downstairs, 'I'm going to school, Mum. Are you proud of me?'.