Boy, 16, ‘killed in blink of an eye by stranger who knifed him in neck at NYE fireworks when he accidentally bumped pal’
A TRAGIC 16-year-old boy was killed “in the blink of an eye” by a teen stranger who knifed him in the neck on New Year’s Eve, a court heard.
Harry Pitman had joined two pals to watch the fireworks in Primrose Hill, North London when the horror unfolded.
A teen boy, then aged 16, is on trial for murder and possession of a weapon after stabbing Harry in the neck.
The Old Bailey was told he and Harry were “complete strangers” and that none of the friends they were with that night knew each other.
At around 11.20pm, there had been an “altercation” between the schoolboy and two other young men.
Witnesses said Harry appeared to be playing a game with his pals when he lost his balance and “accidentally knocked into someone”.
This person, who was friends with the alleged teen killer, “reacted angrily and pushed Harry from behind on his back”.
Jurors heard the defendant then stabbed Harry using a 15 to 20cm long hunting knife.
Harry was seen pushing his way through the crowd with blood on his t-shirt as he cried out “help” before collapsing on the ground.
Tragically, the Tottenham Hotspur fan died “almost immediately”.
Prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward KC said: “Every year, large numbers of members of the public gather on Primrose Hill to celebrate the turning of the New Year.
“But last New Year’s Eve, 31 December 2023, revelry turned to tragedy in the blink of an eye.
“Harry Pitman, aged 16, was stabbed once, to the neck. He died almost immediately, as a result of that single but deadly injury – a single but deadly injury caused by a knife, brought to the scene by the defendant.”
In footage played to the court, Harry could be seen speaking to the teenager he had accidentally bumped into, saying: “Don’t touch me, because I didn’t touch you”.
Witness Amaal Abdulahi said she saw him being slapped across the back of his head before the video showed a “scuffle” breaking out.
During this time, Harry was “grabbed by the scruff of the neck” and punched.
He then retaliated and landed a blow on the boy – causing him to fall backwards, it was said.
The defendant, who is now aged 17, allegedly moved forward at this point and joined the fight.
He could be seen pulling the knife out before brawling with Harry, jurors heard.
Ms Ledward added: “(He) brings his right arm upwards from his side in an arc-ing motion, and down towards the top of Harry’s shoulder.
“A light-coloured, slim, shiny object held in his right hand catches the light. The prosecution suggest it must have been the knife.”
The defendant, who can’t legally be named, admits knifing the schoolboy will claim it was an accident and that he was acting in self-defence.
He denies the charges against him and the trial at the Old Bailey continues.