Harry Pitman stabbed to death after knocking into someone

The 16-year-old died after he was stabbed in the neck at New Year’s Eve celebrations on Primrose Hill. 

The 17-year-old accused of murdering Harry does not deny causing the fatal injury. 

Judge Mr Justice Cavanagh KC said two key issues are likely to arise in the trial, whether the defendant stabbed Harry by accident, and whether he acted in lawful self defence.   

Opening the case on Tuesday (September 3), 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, December 31, 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, a knife brought to the scene by the defendant who was only 16 also at the time. And it was the defendant who held that knife when that single but deadly injury was inflicted on Harry.   

“As a result, the defendant is now in your charge and as you've heard must stand trial facing charges of murder and possession of an offensive weapon.” 

We are reporting live from the Old Bailey, you can follow the events of the case here. 

Ms Ledward said Harry was there with a group of friends and so was the defendant with another group of friends.  

She said: “The defendant and Harry Pitman were strangers. Their respective groups of friends and acquaintances were complete strangers as well.  

“There is no indication that anyone from one group had had any contact with anyone in the other group prior to this evening. They were groups of complete strangers.” 

Ms Ledward said the fatal incident appears to have been set in motion by a physical confrontation between Harry and one of the defendant's friends at around 11.30pm. 

A man who was at the park with his family said he thought Harry was playing a game where he was trying to see how high he could kick.  

Ms Ledward said: “He was aiming at the hand of one of the girls nearby which she was holding up in the air. He became unbalanced and knocked into one of the group standing behind them.” 

The person he bumped into reacted angrily and pushed Harry from behind, the jury were told. 

Flowers left shortly after the stabbing (Image: Nathalie Raffray) Witnesses said they heard Harry telling him “don’t touch me, because I didn’t touch you.”   

The witnesses said that after Harry turned away the defendant’s friend slapped the back of Harry’s head.   

What followed was partially captured on a 63 second video taken by a woman who was there to watch the fireworks. 

Ms Ledward explained: "The video shows a scuffle between Harry and [the defendant’s friend] in which [the defendant’s friend] grabbed Harry by the scruff of the neck and throws punches at him.  

“Harry threw punches back, the last of which appears to have connected to his face or eye area.”  

Possibly as a result of that punch, he fell back and ended up lying on the ground.  

The defendant is then seen rushing in holding his trousers and saying “wot wot wot wot wot”, Ms Ledward said. 

Harry was seen pushing towards and exchanging punches with another of the defendant’s friends, who then also fell backwards. 

At around 13 seconds into the video a female voice can be heard saying “mindi”, the Somalian word for knife.  

The woman who said it told police she saw the defendant remove a knife from the waist area of his trousers, using one hand to hold his trousers and the other to pull the knife out.  

During a fight between Harry and the defendant Harry appeared to swing a punch towards the defendant’s face and one adult witness said she got the impression Harry was winning, “I feel like he got a good few punches in”.  

Ms Ledward said: “The video then shows the defendant bringing his right arm upwards from his side in an arcing motion, and bringing it down towards the top of Harry’s shoulder.  

“A light, slim, shiny object held in his right hand catches the light. The Prosecution suggest that this must have been a knife.”  

Ms Ledward said the defendant stabbed downwards to the left of Harry’s neck. 

As the defendant swung the knife at Harry a sheath or scabbard flew and landed in front of an adult witness, Ms Ledward said. 

One witness described the knife as “not a Zombie knife”, a knife no bigger than a kitchen knife.  

Ms Ledward said: “As the camera pans around to the left, you get a glimpse of Harry Pitman standing in the crowd at about 19 seconds into the video, before he is lost from view. By that stage he had been fatally stabbed, once, and within minutes of that he was dead.” 

Harry Pitman (Image: Met Police) Police body worn video shows Harry Pitman pushed his way out of the crowd in the opposite direction, towards a group of police officers who were standing nearby.  

“By that stage his T-shirt was covered in blood and he was holding his neck, asking 'help'. He was helped to the ground, and officers immediately began attempts at first aid. Harry very quickly lost consciousness.”  

Police started CPR and continued until paramedics and helicopter emergency service doctor arrived, but despite these efforts the bleed to Harry’s neck was “catastrophic and proved fatal”, Ms Ledward said.  

He was pronounced dead at 11.54pm on New Year’s Eve. 

The trial continues.