Latest news with #HarveyWillgoose
The Independent
17-05-2025
- The Independent
‘I was stabbed aged 15 and have suffered lifelong trauma - schools need to do more to protect their pupils'
"I live in constant fear of a bad feeling, it's a psychological scar that won't ever be healed', Natashia Lee explains as she recalls the traumatic time she was stabbed seven times at school by her childhood bullies. The teenager woke on the morning of 10 November 2005 with a sense of dread in her stomach after suffering nightmares about her tormentors who denigrated her for her perceived love of heavy-metal music. Later that day, she would be stabbed seven times after exiting the dinner queue at Collingwood College in Surrey by three girls, requiring extensive eye surgery after being injured by a pair of scissors. Two would go on to receive community orders, while her stabber would be detained for over three years. Now 20 years later, Ms Lee, then known as Natashia Jackman, has been left horrified after a spate of recent school stabbings which are all too reminiscent of her own experience. Last month, a 15-year-old pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Harvey Willgoose, also 15, who was killed at All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield. A 14-year-old girl was also handed 15 years in detention after a knife rampage at her school in Ammanford, which left two teachers and a fellow pupil with stab wounds from her father's multi-tool. Due to the trauma of her own experience and her parents' horror at the school's inability to protect her from her bullies, Ms Lee relocated to the US to continue her education. Despite her physical wounds healing, the mental scars remained and she soon began to suffer from PTSD and flashbacks. Not only was she left traumatised, her mother later took her own life having believed she had 'failed' in her duties by sending her to school on that horrific day. 'I lost all faith in humanity. I'd hear a British accent and I would freeze,' she said. 'I do sometimes wonder if my bullies have kids, and do they worry about school crimes and look back with the hindsight of adulthood at their roles as perpetrators?', she said. Now living in Yorkshire with her two children, she is 'terrified' for the next generation. "Policy has not changed enough," Ms Lee told The Independent. "Preventative measures, where are they? My biggest concern is that when it happened to me, the only social media we had was MSN and MySpace. "Society has now evolved and we're looking at a generation now that lack empathy and compassion as they see the world through the lens of social media." Since returning to the UK after a teaching stint in Thailand and as a charity worker in Kenya, Ms Lee has established her own company ESG Pro, which she now hopes to utilise to improve conditions within the UK education system. ESG Pro is a compliance consultancy that reinvests 20 per cent of client spend into social impact, starting with school safety through the flagship initiative School Impact Project. The programme is designed to deliver safety improvements, environmental upgrades, and governance support to schools — entirely funded through business-sector partnerships. ' Schools don't have funding for pencils, let alone having knife arches. For me, this isn't just work — it's personal. 'I know what it feels like to walk into a school and wonder if you're safe. I've seen the gaps, the vulnerabilities, and the heartbreaking limitations schools face because of budget constraints.' Aimed to prevent weapons from being brought onto the playground, knife arches have increasingly been proposed as a potential strategy to make schools safer. However, with a single-walk through detector costing as much as £7,500 and schools having to fit the bill, it is an impossible expense for many state schools that have budgeting constraints. While stabbing incidents in schools remain relatively rare, the former children's commissioner for England said in February that it was a 'national crisis that needed a national response'. According to a House of Commons research document published in late January, in the year to the end of June 2024 there were 19,903 possession of a knife or offensive weapon offences in England and Wales that resulted in a caution or conviction. Children aged 10 to 17 were the perpetrators in 18 per cent of the cases. "With the turnover rate of teachers, children aren't forming the same bonds with them that existed years ago, and that lack of personal relationship means students don't know who to turn to,' Ms Lee said. "We need to have more school counsellors in place, there needs to be a point of contact when things are getting tough and the mental health support is so important." She has now partnered with the Ben Kinsella Trust, which tackles knife crime through education, and has secured 19 schools to sponsor with funding via her project. 'I want to do something more with my story because I survived,' she said. 'I'm not healed, I have never healed because I am partly stuck as a 14-year-old girl. If I could do something with my life and career and I say I've made one school safer, I can say it meant something.' If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@ or visit the Samaritans
CBS News
28-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
15-year-old boy pleads guilty to killing teen in British school stabbing amid spate of knife crime in UK
How Netflix's "Adolescence" is starting worldwide conversations about risks of online misogyny A 15-year-old boy on Monday pleaded guilty to the killing of another teenager in a British school stabbing, the latest in a string of U.K. knife-crime deaths involving children. The boy, who cannot be named due to his age, admitted the manslaughter of Harvey Willgoose, also 15, but denied murder at a court hearing in the northern city of Sheffield. Willgoose died after he was stabbed in the grounds of All Saints Catholic High School in the city on Feb. 3. The judge, Jeremy Richardson, addressed the boy, who was flanked by security staff and an intermediary, the BBC reported. "A jury will decide if you are guilty or not guilty of the more serious charge of murder," the judge said, before asking if he understood what had been said during the hearing. Harvey Willgoose's mother Caroline Willgoose (front left) as she marches to Bramall Lane in memory of her son, ahead of the Sheffield United vs Portsmouth match, on Feb. 8, 2025. Harvey was stabbed to death at All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield. Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images The judge ordered that the teenager be held in youth detention until he stands trial on June 30. A previous court hearing heard Willgoose was stabbed twice in the chest while on a lunch break at the school, according to the BBC. Willgoose's parents have since campaigned against knife crime and said they wanted to set up a youth club in Sheffield in his memory, the BBC reported. Prime minister calls knife crime a "national crisis" The attack is one of a series of fatal stabbings involving young victims. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called knife crime a "national crisis." "We are utterly heartbroken at the loss of our beautiful boy, 'Harvey Goose,'" the family said in a statement after visiting the school following their son's death. The U.K. government has announced a series of initiatives aimed at reducing knife crime. A ban on owning "zombie" style weapons with blades of more than eight inches came into force last September. Another ban targeting ninja swords — long straight blades of between 14 and 24 inches, with a sharply angled tip — will start Aug. 1. The government said on Friday it would also bring in tougher sanctions for tech platforms for harmful knife-crime content online. The Home Office said firms would face fines of up to $80,000 if they failed to remove such content within 48 hours of a police warning, in addition to existing fines of about $13,000 for individual tech bosses. Knife crime in England and Wales has been steadily rising since 2011, according to official government data. In the year leading up to March 2024, there were 262 murders in England and Wales using a knife or sharp instrument, according to the Ben Kinsella Trust, an anti-knife crime charity. Of those murdered, 57 were under the age of 25.
Daily Mail
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Boy, 15, admits stabbing teenager Harvey Willgoose to death at school
A 15-year-old boy today pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of teenager Harvey Willgoose who was stabbed to death at his Catholic high school in Sheffield, but denied his murder. Harvey, 15, was knifed twice in the chest in front of fellow pupils at All Saints Catholic High School on February 3, dying in the ambulance on the way to hospital. The teenage suspect - who can't be named due to his age - was later charged with murder, possession of a bladed article and one count of affray. Wearing a white shirt, black trousers and Yves Saint Laurent belt, he today quietly voiced his pleas to the charges with the help of an intermediary at Sheffield Crown Court. He also admitted possession of a knife. A trial was fixed for June 30. The boy was remanded into youth detention accommodation. Sheffield Youth Court previously heard how the knife 'went through his rib and punctured his heart'. In a heartbreaking statement following his death, Harvey's mother Caroline said their lives 'will never be the same again'. 'We are utterly heartbroken at the loss of our beautiful boy, Harvey Goose,' she added. '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 the time, Sir Keir Starmer said the 'whole country' would 'mourn with' the teen's family after the devastating loss. The Prime Minister said in a statement: 'The terrible stabbing in Sheffield is one where I think the whole country would want to reach out to the family, the friends, to the school, the entire community, in their grief and mourn with them. 'Obviously there will be an investigation, but I think at this point I simply speak for the country, to the individuals affected, to the family in particular, but everybody impacted by this awful situation - a young boy has gone to school and hasn't returned home. 'And so my first thoughts as Prime Minister and as a father are with the family.' When the teen appeared before youth court, District Judge Tim Spruce said: 'It is early days in this investigation but this allegation involves a knife, a hunting knife, being taken into school and used to stab another pupil in broad daylight resulting in the death of that pupil.' Today the Recorder of Sheffield, 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. 'That trial will start on June 30 at this court. 'In the meanwhile, you will be required to see at least one, possibly two, maybe even three, doctors. 'You must cooperate fully with those doctors. 'In the meanwhile I remand you into the care of the local authority, which is a secure remand.' Hundreds of people lined the streets to pay their respects to Harvey as he was taken to Sheffield Cathedral in in a red and white coffin - the colours of his beloved Sheffield United FC. The cathedral's choir sang the club's favourite chant 'Greasy Chip Butty', during the service on February 21. His distraught family - including mum Caroline, dad Mark, both 51, sister Sophie, 27, and brother Lewis, 25, were seen at the service hugging each other. Around 750 mourners, wearing a mixture of formal wear, Sheffield United football tops and t-shirts with pictures of Harvey's face, went into the service.
Metro
28-04-2025
- Metro
Boy admits stabbing Harvey Willgoose, 15, to death at school but denies murder
A teenager has admitted stabbing Harvey Willgoose, 15, at a Sheffield school, but he denied murdering him. The boys were pupils at All Saints Catholic High School Sheffield at the time of Mr Willgoose's death on February 3. The suspect, also 15, was arrested soon after the incident and faced a murder charge. He pleaded guilty at Sheffield Crown Court today to the manslaughter of Mr Willgoose, but he denied murder. Mr Willgoose's family paid tribute to their loved one: 'We are utterly heartbroken at the loss of our beautiful boy, 'Harvey Goose'. More Trending '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.' Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ Or you can submit your videos and pictures here. For more stories like this, check our news page. Follow on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. MORE: Luigi Mangione dons new look pleading not guilty to murdering healthcare CEO in federal court MORE: University lecturer reported ex to police six times before he murdered her MORE: Fake paramedic raped and sexually assaulted women he met on Tinder
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
'We want to set up a youth club in our son's memory'
A fundraiser is being held to set up a youth club in memory of a teenage boy who was stabbed to death in Sheffield. Harvey Willgoose, 15, was stabbed twice in the chest at All Saints Catholic High School on 3 February. An event is taking place the the Miners' Welfare Club in Beighton, where his parents want to start a facility over the summer for children in the community. His mother Caroline Willgoose said: "This club was Harvey's happy place, he loved coming here." Mrs Willgoose said that organising the fundraiser had been "keeping us going". "It's unbelievable the amount of stuff people have donated, it really has been carrying us through," she added. Steve Knight, who has helped to organise the sell-out event, said it was important that children had somewhere safe to go. "The money will be used to through the summer holidays, so kids will be able to come down here and there will be all sorts of activities for them so they can get together rather than roaming the streets." Mr Knight, whose 13-year-old daughter died in 2008 from a brain tumour, said his family's experience had made him want to help others. "Through our experience of losing our daughter, the village came together for us, so I thought they could come together for someone else who needs help." A 15-year-old boy has been charged with Harvey's murder. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Stab victim's parents call for school knife arches Mum of stabbed schoolboy urges caution over knives
