Harry Pitman was stabbed to death after bumping into someone

The 16-year-old died after being stabbed in the neck during the New Year's Eve party on Primrose Hill.

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

Judge Cavanagh KC said the trial was likely to raise two key issues: whether the defendant stabbed Harry accidentally and whether he acted in lawful self-defence.

Opening the case on Tuesday (3 September), prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward KC said: “Every year, many citizens gather on Primrose Hill to celebrate the New Year.

“But on New Year's Eve last year, December 31, 2023, the celebration turned into a tragedy in the blink of an eye: Harry Pitman, 16 years old, was stabbed once in the neck. He died almost immediately from this single but fatal injury.

“A single but fatal wound caused by a knife, a knife that the defendant, who was also only 16 at the time, had brought to the scene. And it was the defendant who was holding that knife when that single but fatal wound was inflicted on Harry.

“Therefore, the defendant is now in your custody and, as you have heard, must stand trial for murder and possession of weapons.”

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

Mrs Ledward said Harry was there with a group of friends and the defendant was also there with another group of friends.

She said: “The defendant and Harry Pitman were strangers to each other. Their respective circles of friends and acquaintances were also complete strangers to each other.

“There is no evidence that anyone from one group had contact with anyone from the other group before that evening. They were groups of complete strangers.”

Ms Ledward said the fatal incident appeared to have been sparked by a physical altercation between Harry and a friend of the defendant at around 11.30pm.

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

Ms Ledward said: “He aimed at the hand of one of the girls nearby who was holding it in the air. He lost his balance and collided with one of the girls standing behind them.”

The person he collided with reacted angrily and pushed Harry from behind, the jury was told.

Flowers were left shortly after the stabbing (Image: Nathalie Raffray) Witnesses said they heard Harry tell him: “Don't touch me because I didn't touch you.”

The witnesses testified that the defendant's friend hit Harry on the back of the head after he turned away.

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

Mrs Ledward said: “The video shows a scuffle between Harry and [the defendant’s friend] where [the defendant’s friend] grabs Harry by the neck and hits him.

“Harry hit back, the last of which seemed to hit his face or eye area.”

Possibly as a result of this blow, he fell backwards and eventually ended up lying on the ground.

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

Harry was seen approaching another friend of the defendant and exchanging blows with him, who then also fell backwards.

About 13 seconds into the video, a female voice can be heard saying “Mindi,” the Somali word for knife.

The woman who testified told police that she saw the defendant pull a knife from his waistband, holding his pants with one hand and pulling out the knife with the other.

During a fight between Harry and the defendant, Harry appeared to throw a punch towards the defendant's face and an adult witness said she had the impression that Harry was winning: “I feel like he landed some good punches.”

Ms Ledward said: 'The video then shows the defendant raising his right arm up to the side in an arcing motion and then bringing it down towards Harry's shoulder.

“A bright, slender, shiny object in his right hand catches the light. The prosecution suspects that it must have been a knife.”

Mrs Ledward said the defendant stabbed downwards to the left of Harry's neck.

When the defendant pointed the knife at Harry, a knife sheath flew off and landed in front of an adult witness, Ms Ledward said.

A witness described the knife as “not a zombie knife,” but rather a knife no larger than a kitchen knife.

Ms Ledward said: “As the camera pans to the left, around 19 seconds into the video, Harry Pitman is briefly seen standing in the crowd before disappearing from view. By this point he had already been fatally stabbed once and a few minutes later he was dead.”

Harry Pitman (Image: Met Police) A police body-worn video shows Harry Pitman moving in the opposite direction from the crowd toward a group of police officers standing nearby.

“At this point his shirt was covered in blood and he was holding his neck and asking for 'help'. He was helped to the ground and officers immediately began first aid. Harry lost consciousness very quickly.”

Police began CPR and continued until paramedics and the helicopter emergency doctor arrived. But despite these efforts, the bleeding in Harry's neck was “catastrophic and resulted in a fatal outcome,” Ms Ledward said.

His death was confirmed on New Year's Eve at 11:54 p.m.

The process continues.