The court heard about a Snapchat message Harvey sent to the defendant before school that day, which read: “Is it beef I what”. The defendant interpreted this as meaning: “Is it beef or what?”
When asked if he wanted “beef” with Harvey, the boy said no. He explained how he met Harvey after arriving at school and Harvey asked him: “Is it beef between me and you?”
Sparring turned tragic
The defendant said he asked Harvey why he thought there was “beef” between them, but Harvey only asked about his injured hand. The boys then started joking about boxing and began sparring in the corridor.
The defendant told the jury Harvey was laughing and said: “I was thinking it was alright between me and him.” The jury has been shown CCTV footage of Harvey being stabbed in a courtyard at All Saints later that day.
Defence claims bullying
The court has heard the defendant has admitted manslaughter but denies murder. He has also admitted possession of a knife on school premises.
Addressing the jury last week, Mr Hussain said the defendant “did not set out to kill or seriously hurt anyone”. The defence argues the boy’s actions were “the end result of a long period of bullying, poor treatment and violence, things that built one upon another until he lost control”.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.