Mohammed Umar Khan was seen playing with the knife in footage shown before the trial at Sheffield Crown Court – the teen was found guilty by a majority verdict of 11 to one
Teen killer Mohammed Umar Khan is seen playing with a knife in horrific new footage taken before he fatally stabbed schoolboy Harvey Willgoose.
In the footage, Khan could be seen in wielding the ‘AC-style’ blade in a park-like area as music played. The 15-year-old would go on to sink a 13cm hunting knife twice into Harvey’s chest during lunch break at All Saints Catholic High School, in Sheffield, back in February.
Harvey died after he was fatally attacked, with defence lawyers claiming Khan had “lost control” after years of bullying and had an “intense period of fear at school.” He went on to tell teachers following the attack “you know I can’t control it” before adding: “I’m not right in the head.”
Khan showed no remorse as he stood in the dock at Sheffield Crown Court for his sentencing earlier today. Harvey’s parents, Mark and Caroline, looked down on Khan from the public gallery where the defendant’s family were also sitting.
He was detained at the court for life with a minimum term of 16 years for Harvey’s murder. Khan previously admitted to manslaughter but was convicted of murder by a majority jury verdict of 11 to one.
Judge Mrs Justice Ellenbogen, told Sheffield Crown Court she believed Mohammed Umar Khan attacked Harvey Willgoose because of “the hurt and anger at what you considered to be his betrayal of your friendship”.
She said she did not accept that Khan acted in self defence or out of fear of violence. The judge said she accepted that Harvey may have made some provocative remarks but these were “not at a level which indicated to you that Harvey posed any real threat at that time, or provides any mitigation for what followed.”
Speaking outside Sheffield Crown Court, Harvey Willgoose’s mother, Caroline, said: “I feel like a big weight’s been lifted off my shoulders, to be honest.
“We just need to get on with our lives and try and do good things for our Harvey, for those kids.” She said: “He (Mohammed Umar Khan) doesn’t look like he’s sorry but I just hope that’s his mask. I’m just glad that I’m never going back into that place (the court) again.”
Mrs Willgoose said: “I’m just going to campaign now against knife crime and for safer schools.” She said she felt the sentence and the lifting of Khan’s anonymity mean “he’s been made an example of”, adding: “I’m really pleased.”