Chilling video footage captured the moment Mohammed Umar Khan, the perpetrator, entered a school premises before fatally stabbing 15-year-old Harvey Willgoose with a hunting knife. The disturbing video depicted Khan’s seemingly calm demeanor as he entered All Saints Catholic School in Sheffield back in February.
Dressed in his coat, Khan was seen wandering around the school until a confrontation ensued in the presence of other students. Despite attempting to provoke Harvey, who remained composed, Khan was observed brandishing the knife in the school cafeteria before the tragic incident.
Following the removal of reporting restrictions by the judge, Khan, who had previously admitted to manslaughter but denied murder, was identified. A jury found him guilty, with an 11 to one majority verdict, for stabbing Harvey twice in the chest during a lunch break.
Subsequently, Khan was sentenced to a minimum of 16 years in Sheffield Crown Court for the murder. During the sentencing, Judge Mrs Justice Ellenbogen stated that Khan’s actions stemmed from feelings of hurt and anger towards what he perceived as a betrayal of their friendship by Harvey.
Despite any potential provocation from Harvey, the judge emphasized that it did not justify Khan’s violent response. Khan, who displayed no emotion during the sentencing, received assistance from an intermediary throughout the trial and sentencing hearings.
Harvey’s parents, Mark and Caroline, observed the proceedings from the public gallery, alongside Khan’s family. Mrs Justice Ellenbogen expressed certainty that Khan had premeditated the use of the knife on Harvey if deemed necessary.
The judge highlighted that while there was no evidence of premeditated intent to cause harm that morning, Khan had decided to use the knife based on witness testimonies. Factors like Khan’s history of carrying weapons, the school premises where the offense occurred, and the presence of numerous students and teachers were deemed aggravating circumstances in the case.
