Latest news with #knifecrime
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Boy, 16, detained for killing former friend in Hackney
A teenager who stabbed his 15-year-old former friend with a pocket knife in east London, and confessed to the killing to an online girlfriend, has been sentenced at the Old 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named due to his age, was given a custodial term of seven years for manslaughter, with a five-year extended licence period added for Garcia, 15, suffered a single stab wound to the heart during the incident in Stellman Close, Hackney, just before 16:00 BST on 23 July two boys had been friends but had fallen out and were planning a fight of some sort, the court heard. During the trial, it was heard the defendant had messaged the girl saying "I think I just killed Pharrell. I stabbed him in the heart by accident, but was meant to stab his leg".Sentencing, Judge Philip Katz KC said after stabbing Pharrell, the defendant had chased him away from the scene with the knife in his hand, and then after seeing him collapse, had run away."The victim's grandmother and uncle then arrived at the scene. That must have been a soul destroying event," he said."That a 15-year-old died is a tragedy, that he was killed by another child at 15 is another tragedy." 'Very high risk' The judge told the defendant: "You are a dangerous offender and the picture remains concerning. "You pose a very high risk of very serious harm to the public for further knife offending."The court heard the Pharrell's family would not be reading out victim impact statements because it was "too much" for Mark Fenhalls KC said of their experience: "The decimation of the family is unsurprising in these circumstances.""Having been at the scene when he died… it was too much for them. They can't cope any more."The defence barrister, Beth O'Reilly KC, said: "These young men knew each other and knew each other from primary school. This case has a real sense of hopelessness."At his trial the defendant had claimed he was acting in self-defence, but Judge Katz said: "This was never a case of self defence."
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Mother of Ava White, 12, who was murdered over petty Snapchat row condemns 'monster' teenage killer's lack of remorse after he posted selfie to site from behind bars
The mother of murdered 12-year-old Ava White today branded the teenager who killed her in a petty row over Snapchat video a 'monster' after he posted a selfie on the same platform from behind bars. Harry Gilbertson - who was 14 when he fatally stabbed Ava - was unmasked by Mail Online today as he turns 18. Ava's campaigning mother Leeann, who has dedicated her life to tackling knife crime, said it was 'important the public know who he is' now that he is legally an adult. To her fury, despite the fact that he's currently serving a minimum 13-year sentence for murdering Ava in November 2021, muscle-bound Gilbertson managed to upload an image of himself onto Snapchat. For her family it was particular hurtful because the argument which led to Gilbertson stabbing the schoolgirl in the neck was sparked by his refusal to delete a Snapchat video he had made of Ava and her friends. They had been in Liverpool city centre to watch the Christmas lights switch-on - but instead 'unique and hugely popular' Ava was left bleeding to death on the pavement. Ava's mother today slammed Gilbertson for brazenly flaunting his bulked-up physique on the same social media site. 'The picture was taken on Snapchat,' she said. 'The same social media that he posted the video of Ava on before he murdered her. 'He has never shown any remorse.' She added: 'I don't call him by his name. I call him the monster.' And Ms White, 42, demanded to know how Gilbertson had managed to evade prison rules and access the internet from within the secure unit where he is serving a life sentence. 'I know he got read the riot act for that,' Ms White added. 'They told me he used a tablet that was supposed to be for educational purposes to post it and that there was a glitch in the prison systems that allowed him to get on to the Internet, but I just don't buy that. 'It's disgusting, he didn't even get any extra time added on to his sentence.' Gilbertson was convicted of Ava's murder in 2022 - but the trial judge refused calls from Ava's family and the Press for him to be named, saying the risk to his family, in particular his younger siblings, was too great. Today, however, the Mail can identify and picture Gilbertson for the first time on his 18th birthday. Ava's mother, Leeann White, 42, said: 'It is important the public know who he is. 'The public know everything about Ava – her name was splashed everywhere when she died. 'Why shouldn't everyone know what he did? Why should he be protected? 'He was the one in the wrong, he was the one who went out that night with a knife. 'He's never shown any remorse. 'I know he was only a child himself when it happened but children know right from wrong and my child knew not to pick up a knife and stab someone. 'His name needs to be out there to act as a deterrent to others who might be thinking about carrying knives.' Ms White said that she now believed that 'with hindsight' Mrs Justice Yip, who presided over Gilbertson's trial at Liverpool Crown Court, had been right to prevent him from being named initially. 'If the judge had named him then he would probably be getting a new identity on his 18th birthday so, in a way, I am glad she didn't,' Ms White added. 'I definitely don't want that. 'I've waited all this time for his name to be out there. If he was given a new identity and I didn't know who he was, I don't think I would be able to go on living.' Ava had been given permission to stay out late to see the lights turned on when they encountered a group of boys including Gilbertson on November 25, 2021. She became angry when he filmed her and posted it online. Ava - who attended Notre Dame Catholic College in Everton - demanded Gilbertson delete the video from Snapchat. But an argument developed and he stabbed her in the neck with a three-inch flick knife. Gilbertson told jurors he carried the knife to make himself 'feel big'. He claimed he stabbed her in self-defence. But the court heard he 'grinned' as Ava lay dying, before running off to discard his coat and the weapon. Jurors rejected his version of events and convicted him of Ava's murder. Mrs Justice Yip was told Gilbertson was de-sensitised to violence after witnessing his father attack his mother at home. He had also been made the subject of a community resolution notice four months before Ava's murder for hitting a police community support officer on the head. At the time of Ava's death he was awaiting trial for assaulting two women and was known to police who were concerned he was being groomed into a criminal gang. Sentencing Gilbertson, who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and attended a special school, Mrs Justice Yip highlighted the role social media played in the case, saying it was tragic 'something so small' as a Snapchat video had left a girl dead. She told him: 'There is only one reason why Ava is dead and that is because you chose to carry a knife and you chose to get it out and use it.' Ms White told the Mail she agreed with Esther Ghey, 38, whose 16-year-old daughter Brianna was also stabbed to death by teenagers, that the Government needed to do more to protect children from dangers associated with social media sites. Ms White added: 'I've met Esther and agree with her campaigns. 'All social media does is cause harm and distress. Everything children are exposed to on there is frightening.' Although almost four years have passed since Ava's death, Ms White said she finds it really hard to cope with the loss of her youngest child. The mother-of-two tearfully added: 'I'm really up and down. 'Some days I'm okay, other days are really bad and I can't stop crying. 'It doesn't get any easier, it seems to get harder as time goes on. 'It really was so senseless what happened to Ava. 'I don't agree with violence at all, but I'm always thinking "Why couldn't he have just pushed or shoved her?" 'She was only 12, he was 14. She was a girl and he was a boy. 'Why didn't he just push her, he didn't have to stab her in the neck.' She said the Ava White Foundation, which she set up in the wake of her daughter's murder, 'keeps me going'. The not-for-profit organisation campaigns against knife crime and aims to fund and deliver specialist bleed packs to schools, youth clubs, pubs and train and bus stations in the North West. It also visits schools to educate schoolchildren on the dangers of carrying knives and to teach life-saving skills. 'To be honest, I don't know where I would be without it,' Ms White, a former shop assistant, added. 'It gives me a reason to get up in the morning. 'I know I have to do this for Ava and it keeps me going each day until I get home.' A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman today said: 'This was an horrendous crime, and our thoughts remain with the family of Ava White. 'No victim should ever have to see their perpetrators appearing online. 'We've put in place tough measures to clamp down on the use of social media in prisons and have committed to review how we could extend these controls to all places of custody.' Under prison rules, inmates - including children - face 'sanctions' if they are caught in possession of a mobile phone or other illicit device with internet access.
Daily Mail
19 hours ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Ava White's schoolboy killer unmasked: Murderer's identity is revealed on his 18th birthday after he stabbed 12-year-old to death outside Primark in petty row over Snapchat video
The teenage boy who murdered 12-year-old Ava White can today be named and pictured for the first time after he turned 18. Harry Gilbertson was just 14 when he stabbed the schoolgirl in the neck following a petty row over a Snapchat video, in November 2021. Following the attack, the teenager ran away, leaving Ava - who had been in Liverpool city centre with friends to watch the Christmas lights switch-on - bleeding to death on the pavement. Gilbertson was convicted of Ava's murder after a two-week trial and locked up for a minimum of 13 years. But the judge refused calls from Ava's family and the Press for him to be named, saying the risk to his family, in particular his younger siblings, was too great. Today, however, the Mail can identify and picture Gilbertson for the first time on his 18th birthday after he officially became an adult. Ava's mother, Leeann White, 42, said: 'It is important the public know who he is. 'The public know everything about Ava – her name was splashed everywhere when she died. 'Why shouldn't everyone know what he did? Why should he be protected? 'He was the one in the wrong, he was the one who went out that night with a knife. 'He's never shown any remorse. 'I know he was only a child himself when it happened but children know right from wrong and my child knew not to pick up a knife and stab someone. 'His name needs to be out there to act as a deterrent to others who might be thinking about carrying knives.' Ms White said that she now believed that 'with hindsight' Mrs Justice Yip, who presided over Gilbertson's trial at Liverpool Crown Court, had been right to prevent him from being named initially. 'If the judge had named him then he would probably be getting a new identity on his 18th birthday so, in a way, I am glad she didn't,' Ms White added. 'I definitely don't want that. 'I've waited all this time for his name to be out there, if he was given a new identity and I didn't know who he was I don't think I would be able to go on living.' Ava had been drinking vodka with her friends on November 25, 2021 when they encountered Gilbertson. She became angry when he filmed her rolling around and laughing on the floor and posted it online. Ava - who attended Notre Dame Catholic College in Everton - demanded Gilbertson delete the video from Snapchat. But an argument developed and he stabbed her in the neck with a three-inch flick knife. Gilbertson told jurors he carried the knife to make himself 'feel big'. He claimed he stabbed her in self-defence. But the court heard he 'grinned' as Ava lay dying, before running off to discard his coat and the weapon. Jurors rejected his version of events and convicted him of Ava's murder. Mrs Justice Yip was told that Gilbertson was de-sensitised to violence after witnessing his father attack his mother at home. He had also been made the subject of a community resolution notice four months before Ava's murder for hitting a police community support officer on the head. At the time of Ava's death he was awaiting trial for assaulting two women and was known to local police who were concerned he was being groomed into a criminal gang. Sentencing Gilbertson, who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and attended a special school, Mrs Justice Yip highlighted the role that social media played in the case, saying it was tragic that 'something so small' as a Snapchat video had left a young girl dead. She told him: 'There is only one reason why Ava is dead and that is because you chose to carry a knife and you chose to get it out and use it.' Ms White told the Mail that she agreed with Esther Ghey, 38, whose 16-year-old daughter Brianna was also stabbed to death by teenage killers, that the Government needed to do more to protect children from dangers associated with social media sites, such as Snapchat. She said that despite Gilbertson being locked up in a young offenders' prison he had managed to post a picture of himself on the social media site – on what would have been Ava's 15th birthday in January last year. 'I know he got read the riot act for that,' Ms White added. 'They told me he used a tablet that was supposed to be for educational purposes to post it and that there was a glitch in the prison systems that allowed him to get onto the Internet, but I just don't buy that. 'They said it was just a coincidence that it was posted on Ava's birthday. 'It's disgusting, he didn't even get any extra time added onto his sentence.' Ms White added: 'I've met Esther and agree with her campaigns. 'All social media does is cause harm and distress. Everything children are exposed to on there is frightening.' Although almost four years have passed since Ava's death, Ms White said she finds it really hard to cope with the loss of her youngest child. The mother-of-two tearfully added: 'I'm really up and down. 'Some days I'm okay, other days are really bad and I can't stop crying. 'It doesn't get any easier, it seems to get harder as time goes on. 'It really was so senseless what happened to Ava. 'I don't agree with violence at all, but I'm always thinking "Why couldn't he have just pushed or shoved her?" 'She was only 12, he was 14. She was a girl and he was a boy. 'Why didn't he just push her, he didn't have to stab her in the neck.' She said the Ava White Foundation, which she set up in the wake of her daughter's murder, 'keeps me going.' The not-for-profit organisation campaigns against knife crime and aims to fund and deliver specialist bleed packs to schools, youth clubs, pubs and train and bus stations across north west England. They also visits schools to educate schoolchildren on the dangers of carrying knives and to teach them practical life-saving skills. 'To be honest I don't know where I would be without it,' Ms White, a former shop assistant, of Liverpool, added. 'It gives me a reason to get up in the morning. 'I know I have to do this for Ava and it keeps me going each day until I get home.' The Ministry of Justice was approached for comment.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Sunday Brunch BANS guests from being photographed holding cutlery in case it celebrates knife crime, Frank Skinner says
Comedian Frank Skinner says Channel 4 has banned guests on Sunday Brunch from being photographed holding cutlery because it could be seen as 'celebrating knife crime '. Skinner, 68, appeared on the Sunday morning show - hosted by Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer - in June last year, alongside fellow guests Kellie Shirley, Steven Moffat, Yvette Fielding and Alexandra Burke. Speaking about his experience on his podcast Frank Off The Radio with co-hosts podcaster Emily Dean and comedian Pierre Novellie, he revealed the weekly publicity shots have strict rules on how they are taken. The trio were discussing chef encounters when Skinner revealed that bosses on the show fear sharing photos featuring knives over a potential backlash. He said: 'When you do Sunday brunch and you pose for the photos, the publicity photos, they always say ' you have to put the knife down.' 'You can't be photographed holding a knife because of current sensitivities and like celebrating knife crime.' His co-hosts erupted into laughter and Emily Dean said: 'Is that right?' Pierre Novellie said: 'Well they're not going to use that photo on the news when you go on a rampage.' Skinner responded: 'They might be glad, it might come in handy if you go on a rampage.' Previous promo shots for the show have seen celebrities posing with branded mugs, sometimes with cutlery on a napkin nearby. But they are never pictured digging into meals, and the chefs are not seen with knives. When Skinner appeared on the show last year, he horrified viewers as he shared a favourite snack he enjoys tucking into on a silver platter. The lid was lifted to reveal a dish of bananas with a side of mustard powder. Describing the recipe, he said: 'I was on a show where we had powdered mustard and just for the hell of it, I dipped a banana in to see what it would be like – and it actually tasted great. 'Sort of a sweet and sour thing going on.' He previously also appeared on the show in 2019, alongside former One Direction band member Liam Payne, who died after plunging from a balcony on October 16 last year. The reluctance to show knives on screen comes as figures show there were 50,500 criminal offences recorded involving a knife or other sharp object in England and Wales in the year to March 2024. This was a 4.4 percent increase on the year before, but still 2.8 percent lower than the record high of 2019/2020. There were 244 murders involving a knife or sharp object in the same regions in the year to 2023, the latest data available. Skinner's podcast Frank Off The Radio followed his departure from Absolute Radio after 15 years, bringing his Saturday morning breakfast show with Dean and Novellie to a close. He said at the time he had not wanted to leave but was asked to depart by radio bosses. Speaking during his final show in May last year, he apologised to listeners, saying he was sorry the team was leaving, and added: 'It's pretty well-documented, I don't want to go.' Joking he'd spent his redundancy money on Lego Avengers, he then signed off for good, saying: 'You've been the best audience ever. I can't do the 'we'll be back next week', because we won't, we'll never be back. But I love you all. Bye bye.' A spokesperson for Banijay, the production company behind Sunday Brunch, declined to comment.
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
This is the horrific moment my granddaughter was murdered in front of her daughter, 3 – the image will haunt me forever
JUST moments earlier Cher Maximen had been laughing and dancing with her three-year-old daughter, Niketa. But lying on the pavement in the middle of the carnival the mum was now fighting for her life as she bled out. 11 11 11 After a fight broke out between some men, amid the scuffle, the mum-of-one was stabbed in the groin. And her grandmother, Vyleen, 68, received the devastating call that she was fighting for her life in hospital. Tragically, six days later, the 32-year-old passed away from her injuries. In May this year, Shakeil Thibou, 20, was found guilty of her murder and handed a 29 year sentence. Now, grandmother of seven, Vyleen, is raising awareness of knife crime and calling for Notting Hill Carnival to be moved to a secure spot. She says: 'Cher had her whole life ahead of her with Niketa. 'It was snatched away from her because of senseless violence. 'That monster hasn't shown an ounce of remorse for taking her life and leaving Niketa motherless. 'No child should have to witness their mother dying in front of them. 'It's horrific. MUM'S PLEA Harvey Willgoose's mum calls for knife arches in every school in Britain after son was stabbed to death on way to lesson 'Now I want to see the carnival moved to a park or area that can be monitored or controlled better, so thugs cannot commit these horrific crimes and slip away, unnoticed, into the crowd.' Since he was a child, Cher had attended the annual summer carnival, celebrating her Caribbean heritage. A clothes designer and part-time model, she loved to showcase her latest creations. Vyleen, from Bristol, says: 'Cher had dreams of starting her own fashion label. 'She loved going to the carnival each year and covering her hair and face in glitter. 'She'd always have some whacky costume, too. 'The year before she'd worn a cat suit and shiny Dr Martens.' Last summer, Cher decided to take her daughter, Niketa, for the first time on the carnival's family day. 11 11 11 Vyleen recalls: 'She was so excited to show Niketa the performers and celebrate the culture.' When Vyleen's phone rang that night, it wasn't Cher's voice on the other end. She explains: 'I answered, thinking it was her calling as her ID flashed up, but it was a nurse. 'When she told me Cher'd been injured, I panicked.' Vyleen raced to the St Mary's Hospital in London where a police officer informed her Cher had been stabbed in the groin at the carnival with her attacker still at large. Thankfully, Niketa was unharmed and being cared for by her godmother, TJ, 39. Vyleen says: 'Soon after a consultant appeared and explained that Cher had lost a lot of blood and that they were trying to stabilise her. 'When the nurse took me in to see her I broke down seeing her hooked up to multiple machines.' Over the next 24 hours, Cher underwent two major operations in an attempt to stem the internal bleeding she'd suffered. During the second, Vyleen was told by the surgeon that she might not make it. Afterwards, she was induced into a coma and hooked up to a ventilator. Vyleen says: 'I was told she'd suffered enormous injuries but that they'd do everything in their power to save her. 'I prayed she'd pull through.' Meanwhile, her liaison officer informed her that they'd arrested three men, but couldn't tell her anymore. Over the next few days, while family members rallied around, Vyleen begged her granddaughter to wake up. Eventually, six days on from the attack, she was told Cher wouldn't survive. She says: 'The consultant told me she had no quality of life, that her brain had been starved of oxygen for too long. 'Still, his words didn't sink in. I wasn't ready to say goodbye.' That day family members came to be with Cher and at 5:50am, Cher took her last breath. Vyleen says: 'It still didn't seem real. 'That night, TJ broke the news to Niketa and I went to see her the next morning. 'She was staring into the distance. Was so traumatised by what she'd witnessed. 11 11 11 'When she told me 'Mummy was bleeding and I couldn't save her', I had to fight back tears. I told her 'You were so brave and your mummy loves you so much'. 'My heart broke for her.' Vyleen took Niketa back to live with her in Bristol and planned Cher's funeral. Soon after, three brothers were charged in connection with Cher's murder. Two months on, in October 2024, the family held her funeral. Vyleen says: 'She was taken to the church in a horse and cart. 'The church was so full, some people had to stand outside. 'It was lovely to see how many lives Cher had touched. 'As they carried her out, Diamonds by Rihanna was was a fitting tribute. 'When we reached the grave to lay roses inside, Niketa broke down. 'Knowing she'd never see her mum again made my heart ache. It wasn't fair.' In March this year Vyleen attended the Thibou brothers' trial. The Old Bailey heard that a fight had broken out between some men, and officers intervened when they spotted one, Sheldon Thibou, 25, had an illegal stun gun. The officer was assaulted and in the scuffle, Cher was knocked to the floor. She grabbed one of the brother's coats to get back up and kicked out at him to defend her and Niketa. That's when Shakeil Thibou, 20, pulled out a knife and stabbed her in the groin. She fell down and bled out in front of Niketa. Six weeks on, Shakeil was found guilty of murder, attempted GBH on 20-year-old Adjei Isaac with intent and possession of an offensive weapon. Vyleen says: 'When the judge sentenced him to a minimum of 29 years, I broke down in relief. 'I had justice for my girl at last.' Shaeim Thibou, 22, was found guilty of assaulting an emergency worker, PC Oliver Mort and given an 18-month suspended sentence. Sheldon Thibou was found guilty of violent disorder. He had previously pleaded guilty to the possession of an illegal stun gun and assaulting PC Mort, who tried to intervene. He's due to be sentenced at a later date. Vyleen adds: 'I'm now using my voice to speak out against knife crime. 'I didn't even hear from the organisers of the carnival following Cher's death. 'It's appalling. 'I would like the carnival to be better monitored so other innocent lives are protected. 'As for Niketa, now four, I was granted guardianship. She's the bravest little girl. 'We keep a life-sized cut out of Cher in the hallway, so every time she comes home, she sees her mum. 'We talk about her constantly and miss her every day. 'Thankfully, her beautiful spirit lives on in her precious daughter.'
