A 15-year-old boy has pleaded guilty at Sheffield Crown Court to the manslaughter of Harvey Willgoose but has denied murder.
The teenager was stabbed to death at All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield in February. A teenager, who cannot be named, admitted Sheffield United fan Harvey’s manslaughter when he appeared at the city’s crown court on Monday. But he denied murdering the teenager and will go on trial in the summer. Judge Jeremy Richardson KC remanded the defendant, who stood in the glass-fronted dock with an intermediary and three members of security staff, into secure local authority care and told him that he will go on trial on June 30.
At Sheffield Crown Court, Judge Richardson confirmed a court order restricting identifying the teen defendant remains in place. Judge Jeremy Richardson KC told the boy: “You have today pleaded guilty to manslaughter and the other charge relating to a knife.
“A jury will decide whether you are guilty or not guilty of the more serious charge of murder. Do you understand?
“That trial will start on June 30 at this court.”
There is currently a reporting restriction preventing the boy from being named, due to his age, but Judge Jeremy Richardson KC said it will be “reconsidered at any appropriate time.”
He said: “An order preventing the naming or anything leading to the identification, that order will be reconsidered at any appropriate time.
“I suspect it will be re-considered at conclusion at the trial.”
Police were called to the school at around 12.17pm on February 3 after reports of a stabbing.
Harvey was rushed to hospital but was tragically pronounced dead.
Around 1,000 mourners attended Harvey’s funeral at Sheffield Cathedral in February – where a choir sang his favourite Sheffield United’s chant ‘Greasy Chip Butty.’
Harvey’s heartbroken family – including mum Caroline, dad Mark, sister Sophie and brother Lewis – have previously paid tribute to their “beautiful boy” who was a “best friend to all.”
They said: “We are utterly heartbroken at the loss of our beautiful boy, Harvey Goose.
“Our lives are devastated and will never be the same again.
“We have lost a beloved son, brother, grandson, cousin, nephew and most importantly, a best friend to all.
“Harvey will be forever known for being a caring, loving and funny young man.
“At this difficult time we ask you to please respect our privacy as we grieve as a family.”
Harvey’s school friends previously also paid tribute to him at the scene, describing him as “one of the sweetest souls” who will “will be really missed.”
One teenage girl said: “He was one the sweetest souls and he lit up every room.
“I will never forget him and all the funny comments he would make.
“He was loved by so many and will be really missed.”
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