Murder of Harry Pitman in Primrose Hill: Teenager confesses to stabbing

The trial of a 17-year-old accused of the murder of 16-year-old Harry began this morning (September 3) at the Old Bailey.

The trial judge, the Honourable Mr Justice Cavanagh KC, told the jury that the 17-year-old defendant, who cannot be named, admitted stabbing Harry.

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

At the start of the trial, 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.”