A 15-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of Harvey Willgoose, 15, who was stabbed to death at a school in Sheffield, the CPS said today.
Harvey Willgoose was rushed to hospital with ‘serious injuries’ after the attack at All Saints Catholic High School, where police were called at 12.17pm on Monday afternoon.
Emergency services were met with a scene of chaos as they swooped on the school courtyard, while classrooms were plunged into lockdown and the grounds were closed in the aftermath.
Despite efforts to save Harvey, he was later confirmed to have died from his injuries shortly before 4pm.
Chris Hartley, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS Yorkshire and Humberside, said: ‘The Crown Prosecution Service has reviewed a file of evidence from South Yorkshire Police.
‘We have authorised South Yorkshire Police to charge a 15-year-old with murder in relation to the death of Harvey Willgoose, 15, at All Saints Catholic High School on 3 February. He has also been charged with possession of a bladed article and one count of affray.
‘The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that the youth has a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.’
The first hearing in this case is set to take place on Wednesday, 5 February at Sheffield Youth Court.
A 15-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of Harvey Willgoose (pictured), 15, who was stabbed to death at a school in Sheffield, the CPS have said
Harvey Willgoose (pictured) was rushed to hospital with ‘serious injuries’ after the attack at All Saints Catholic High School, where police were called at 12.17pm on Monday afternoon
Harvey’s grieving mother, Caroline Willgoose, pictured on the day she laid flowers down for her son
Harvey’s grieving mother, Caroline Willgoose, displayed poignant childhood photos of her son on Facebook on Monday night, as friends and relatives tried to console her with heartfelt messages.
The victim’s grandfather was too upset to give a full comment. ‘None of the family really know what’s happened yet so I just can’t say anything,’ he said.
The teen was allegedly ‘stabbed three times’ by a fellow student he had ‘shared threatening messages with’, according to a local 18-year-old who has friends at the school.
On Monday, a neighbour said: ‘Harvey and his dad were huge Sheffield United fans. It is just too awful for words.’
Others claimed Harvey, described as the ‘sweetest soul’ by devastated friends, was the victim of bullying and was threatened at knifepoint at the school last week.
The alleged assailant had apparently brought a blade into school on Granville Road last week, according to one furious parent. On January 29, All Saints had gone into a ‘lockdown’, they said.
A parent said: ‘I’ve been told it’s the same lad who caused the lock down last Wednesday who has now killed the schoolboy today.
‘How can the school have allowed this to happen today when only five days ago the danger was known about?’
Grieving friends pictured crying as they laid down flowers for Harvey after he was killed
Emergency services raced to the All Saints Catholic High School (pictured) courtyard as classrooms were plunged into lockdown
A crime officer outside All Saints Catholic High School on Granville Road in Sheffield
Keir Starmer said the ‘whole country’ will ‘mourn with’ the teen’s family after the devastating loss.
The Prime Minister said in a statement: ‘The terrible stabbing in Sheffield is one where I think the whole country would want to reach out to the family, the friends, to the school, the entire community, in their grief and mourn with them.
‘Obviously there will be an investigation, but I think at this point I simply speak for the country, to the individuals affected, to the family in particular, but everybody impacted by this awful situation – a young boy has gone to school and hasn’t returned home.
‘And so my first thoughts as Prime Minister and as a father are with the family.’
Meanwhile, devastated friends and family paid moving tributes to the teenager on social media.
A friend wrote on Instagram ‘Rip Harvey’ with a heart emoji, adding: ‘Absolutely devastated with the news doesn’t feel real whatsoever. Such a kind lad and didn’t deserve this at all, brought so much good times running this club with me and you was such a funny person to be around.
‘Prayers go out to his family. Rest easy, goose.’
Another friend shared: ‘Harvey was an amazing lad. What has happened is horrific. He was the victim of bullying.
‘He was threatened with a knife at the school last week. It’s heartbreaking. Harvey was one in a million. He had his whole life ahead of him.
‘It’s a tragedy beyond words. He had a lot of friends, was a huge Sheffield United fan. He loved football.
‘He lived a peaceful life. He was being bullied though.’
One friend posted on Instagram: ‘Forever 15 Goosey.’
Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan also paid tribute to the teen on social media, writing on X: ‘RIP Harvey Willgoose … Can’t quite believe what has happened at a Sheffield school..x.’
This is a breaking news story – more to follow.
