Umar Khan will face sentence later today
Umar Khan(Image: South Yorkshire Police)
A teenage boy who murdered Harvey Willgoose in a brutal attack at a Sheffield school has been named as Mohammed Umar Khan.
Khan – known as Umar – stabbed and killed Harvey with a knife he took to school during a lunch break at All Saints Catholic High School on February 3 this year. He was convicted of murder following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court, which concluded in August.
An automatic reporting restriction put in place under section 45 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act prohibiting the publication of Khan’s identification was lifted by The Honourable Mrs Justice Ellenbogen on Wednesday as he waited to be sentenced. Read live updates from the courtroom here.
The judge took into account submissions made by members of the press, including YorkshireLive, as to why the order should be lifted. She also considered submissions made by the defence.
In its application to lift the reporting restriction, YorkshireLive cited its anti-knife crime campaign, Bin the Knife, Save a Life, and said naming defendants often aids deterrence. It said: “This crime demonstrates the wide-reaching impact of knife crime and the seriousness of Mohammed’s actions.
Harvey Willgoose’s mum’s favourite photo of her murdered son(Image: Facebook)
“The case has captured the heart of the nation, with tributes and shock pouring into Sheffield from all corners of the country. It has raised questions about safety among children, and in particular access to knives and the consequences of knife crime.
“LeedsLive and YorkshireLive has campaigned tirelessly to get knives off the streets with its campaign Bin the Knife, Save a Life. The campaign with the aim to get knives off the streets and educate youngsters about the dangers, impact and effects of carrying knives.
“Our campaign has been cited in a number of cases involving knife crime in our area. Previously, a High Court judge granted our site to name the killers of Khayri Mclean after an application. In her ruling, the judge referenced the campaign after our application cited the “widespread public concern” about knife crime among young people.
Undated family handout photo of Harvey Willgoose and his grandparents(Image: Family handout/PA Wire)
“It is clear there is widespread public concern about violent knife crime among teenagers. This is on a national level but we would also argue that there is a particular concern in Yorkshire, where this incident is one of a series in the county in recent years.”
As the judge lifted the reporting restriction, she told the court: “I summarise the submissions made by press…
“The concern of teenage knife crime in general: There is said to be a presumption in favour of open justice. The court must be satisfied the welfare of the child outweighs the strong public interest in open justice…The press submit it has been shown in earlier cases the identification of offenders aids deterrent and promotes public confidence the criminal justice system is addressing concern by the public…
Undated family handout photo of Harvey Willgoose and his mother(Image: Family handout/PA wire)
“Media reports of proceedings in which defendants have anonymity are said to receive less publicity, a matter which has been the subject of judicial comment. It is noted Harvey’s parents have campaigned about knives in school and are hopeful publicity will help them.
“His identification is understood to be well known in the community, such as, identifying him will have a limited local impact but will enhance the reporting further afield and will enable accurate comment and speculation less likely.
“I accept that to date, the press has been able to report extensively on the trial without reference to the identity of Boy A…Nevertheless, this was a serious crime carried out on school property with a knife brought into school which was witnessed to varying degrees by other pupils and teachers.
Harvey’s coffin leaving Sheffield Cathedral(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
“The public will wish to know the identities of those who commit such serious offences in seeking to understand how it is that a child of that age can do so. Knife crime in general and the circumstances in this particular case are matters of substantial public interest…
“I am satisfied it tips in favour of granting an accepting direction…
“I am satisfied that it is in the interests of justice to do so and the fact he is young is not enough to restrict reports of proceedings…I shall be granting an accepting direction lifting the order…”
Khan, who was born and grew up in the UK, will be sentenced after 2pm.
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