Sheffield Crown Court has named and jailed 15-year-old Mohammed Umar Khan for the murder of fellow pupil Harvey Willgoose at All Saints Catholic High School. Mrs Justice Naomi Ellenbogen lifted his anonymity and imposed life detention with a minimum term of 16 years after a jury found him guilty in August. The attack happened at lunchtime on 3 February 2025.

“I feel like a big weight’s been lifted off my shoulders,” Harvey’s mum, Caroline Willgoose, told reporters after the hearing. She said the family will keep pushing for practical steps to keep children safe following the loss of their 15-year-old son.

Prosecutors said Khan brought a 13cm serrated hunting knife into school and stabbed Harvey during the lunch break; Harvey collapsed within a minute and died. Pupils fled “in fear and panic”, some locking themselves in a cupboard, the court heard.

Jurors were shown CCTV and images from Khan’s phone of him posing with weapons. The court was told the boys had fallen out on social media after an earlier incident at school involving other pupils. Khan denied murder, claiming he carried a knife for protection.

Passing sentence, the judge said Khan was the aggressor and acted out of “hurt and anger at what you considered to be his betrayal of your friendship”. She lifted his anonymity, ruling it was in the public interest for him to be named.

South Yorkshire Police’s Det Ch Insp Andy Knowles said Khan had a misguided belief that carrying a knife would make him safer or give him status. “In reality, that knife had devastating consequences,” he said, urging open conversations about weapons.

All Saints Catholic High School said Harvey was a popular, energetic and fun‑loving pupil who is “dearly missed every day”. The trust said it is cooperating fully with ongoing investigations aimed at answering key questions about the tragedy.

Sheffield has mourned together. In February, hundreds walked from the Town Hall to Bramall Lane in Harvey’s memory, with tributes from supporters and a 15th‑minute applause during a Blades match.

Since then, Harvey’s family have pushed for knife arches in schools. A foundation in his name donated a scanner to Penistone Grammar School, which his parents welcomed as a start. “People are listening… I hope others follow suit,” Caroline said.

Police and schools have also moved to reassure families. The South Yorkshire chief constable wrote to the parents of 16,000 11- and 12‑year‑olds, stressing that fewer than 2% of knife‑related crimes happen in schools and urging frank talks at home.

Data underline the concern. More than 100 children were reported for taking knives into South Yorkshire schools between 2022 and 2024, including 37 incidents in Sheffield. Most cases were dealt with through cautions or diversion.

Enforcement continues alongside education. During a recent Operation Sceptre week of action, South Yorkshire Police made 57 arrests, recovered 182 knives, visited 21 schools and engaged more than 5,000 students on risks and consequences.

Local leaders say scrutiny must follow. A child safeguarding review is under way to examine the circumstances leading to Harvey’s death; Sheffield Heeley MP Louise Haigh says this “must mark a moment of real change”, not more words on paper.