‘Threatening messages’ between boys before one ‘stabbed to death at school’ – as cops warn ‘stop speculating on tragedy’
THREATENING messages were allegedly sent between two boys before a 15-year-old died in a stabbing attack.
The victim, named as Harvey Willgoose, was stabbed at All Saints Catholic High School in Granville Road, Sheffield, at about 12.17pm on Monday.
Horrified pupils watched on when he was knifed three times in a school courtyard.
Teachers raced to give emergency first aid as the school was put in
lockdown and an air ambulance flew in.
The lad was taken to hospital but he died soon after arrival.
A 15-year-old pupil was detained by police and taken into custody.
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He was last night being quizzed on suspicion of murder.
The stabbing happened at 12.17pm as pupils moved between classes at All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield.
It was claimed the pair had exchanged threatening messages before the incident.
And it came after the school went into lockdown last Wednesday
after a pupil was alleged to have taken a blade in.
His sister Sophie said: "My heart is broken into a million pieces."
She posted on Facebook: "I love you so much Harvey... Hug your loved ones a little tighter tonight cos I wish I could."
Harvey's grieving mother Caroline displayed photos of her son on TikTok and wrote: "No words."
One furious parent said: "How can the school have allowed this to happen today?"
In an update today, South Yorkshire Police warned communities "avoid online speculation" regarding the identity of the suspect.
A statement added: "At the heart of this devastation is a grieving family and they deserve respect and privacy during this difficult time."
Sheffield Heeley Labour MP Louise Haigh said: "Serious questions will have to be answered."
A fellow pupil paid tribute to the killed teenager.
Will the Sheffield suspect be named?
By Holly Christodoulou, Digital Court Editor
USUALLY, a suspect who is arrested over a crime will not be named as the media is at risk of Contempt of Court.
This means that legally, anything that is published could cause a substantial risk of prejudice in case of a trial further down the line.
It is only in very rare cases that those in police custody will be identified as some suspects could later find themselves in the clear, which then causes a defamation risk.
Once proceedings become "active" - i.e. someone is charged - the police or the Crown Prosecution Service will name the suspect and release their age and address.
This will also appear on charge sheets and be heard in open court throughout the case.
However, with the Sheffield school stabbing, the boy held by police is only aged 15.
This means that even from the point of a charge - proceedings being active - we would not be able to name him.
He is protected under section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933.
This applies to any defendants who are aged under 18 and means their identity cannot be revealed.
Once they turn 18, unless any special reporting restrictions are placed by a judge, they can be named.
In some circumstances, when a person is found guilty or admits their crime, they may be unmasked in court regardless of their age.
This will sometimes happen pre-conviction too as in the case of Axel Rudakubana.
He was 17 at the point of his first court appearance but a judge lifted the reporting restriction as he was six days from his 18th birthday anyway.
The 17-year-old said: "He was such a lovely lad, he was cheeky, but was lovely.
"He would make your day better hearing him down that hallway. Teachers loved him, students loved him, everyone loved him."
Describing the ordeal as "stressful" one pupil, 14, spoke after returning to the scene with her mum to lay flowers.
She said she was kept in the hall for more than three hours as police swarmed in.
Talking as she stood next to her mum, she said: "Some people were in the sports hall, some people in different classrooms.
"It was the beginning of lunch about 12.10. We got kind of of bored in there, I was in the hall and it was so hot in there because all the radiators were on.
"It's hard to believe, it was stressful."
A neighbour of the victim, standing beside a shrine of flowers and
candles outside his family home, said: "He went to school this morning and has not come home.
'Avoid online speculation', South Yorkshire Police warns
A spokesman for the force said: "We are urging our communities to avoid online speculation and identifying anyone who they believe to be involved in the tragic incident at All Saints Catholic High School yesterday (Monday, February 3) to ensure justice can be secured for the victim and his family.
"Identifying a suspect can prejudice court proceedings and risk a fair and accurate trial.
"At the heart of this devastation is a grieving family and they deserve respect and privacy during this difficult time.
"We will take action against anyone who poses a risk to proceedings. Please consider what you share online and the implications."
"He always seemed to have a smile on his face. So sad."
Another neighbour said: "He and his dad were huge Sheffield United
fans. It is just too awful for words."
A Sheffield United Football Club spokesperson said: "All at Sheffield United were saddened to learn of the passing of Harvey, our deepest condolences are offered to his family and friends at this difficult time.
"We share the shock and distress of the community following this tragic incident and appreciate that discussions are underway with regards to tributes to remember Harvey."
South Yorkshire Police's Assistant Chief Constable Lindsey Butterfield
said: "We know that what has happened will cause significant distress
and concern.
"Our officers will remain on scene and in the local area to offer reassurance to parents, staff and local residents as our
investigation continues."
South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard said: "This morning a
teenage boy went to school like thousands of others across South Yorkshire but won't come home.
"A young man who was a member of our community, with his
whole life ahead of him.
"My love, my thoughts and my prayers are with his family and friends, and the whole community of All Saints Catholic High School."
PM Sir Keir Starmer said: "My heart goes out to the family and
loved ones of the boy, the staff and students at the school, and the
entire community of Sheffield.
"They are grieving the needless loss of a young life and the nation mourns with them.
"Our schools should be places of safety and learning, not violence and fear.
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"Tonight a young boy should be returning to the love and safety of
his family.
"We stand and work together against the devastating consequences of knife crime, so no more families know this tragic loss."
Public urged to protect justice for murdered schoolboy
SOUTH Yorkshire Police urged people not to speculate about the identity of the teenager arrested on suspicion of murder at a Sheffield school on Monday.
The force said: "We are urging our communities to avoid online speculation and identifying anyone who they believe to be involved in the tragic incident at All Saints Catholic High School yesterday to ensure justice can be secured for the victim and his family.
"Identifying a suspect can prejudice court proceedings and risk a fair and accurate trial.
"At the heart of this devastation is a grieving family and they deserve respect and privacy during this difficult time.
"We will take action against anyone who poses a risk to proceedings. Please consider what you share online and the implications."