Victim’s parents campaigning on knife crime – but say ‘whatever happens in court, it’ll never be justice’
More now on Mark and Caroline Willgoose, Harvey’s parents, who have been campaigning on knife crime since he was killed.
Speaking before today’s sentencing, they made it clear nothing could ever make up for losing their son.
They previously told Sky News they feel Harvey’s school did not take previous knife-related incidents “seriously enough” and felt “100%” the outcome might have been different if they had.
The head of St Clare Catholic Multi Academy Trust – a group of schools including Harvey’s school All Saints in Sheffield – also told Sky News Harvey’s death “was an unimaginable tragedy for all”.
Describing her son as “a character” who “never stopped smiling, never stopped singing”, Mrs Willgoose said she was now campaigning for “all schools and colleges” to use knife arches.
“I want people to go into schools and talk about the devastation of what knife crime does.”
In an emotional interview, she said she felt her son was “put here for a reason” and “I can’t let go until I put things right for him”.
“There’s no winners when it comes to knife crime,” she said.
The defendant “has ruined his life, his parents have got an empty bed”, she added. “He’s got to live with this for the rest of his life.”
Harvey’s father, Mark Willgoose, said that his son had “a short life, but a good life”.
“He crammed everything in, and you’ve just got to try and see the positives in that,” Mr Willgoose added.
“Whatever happens in court, it’ll never be justice. It’ll never be enough.
“I think we’ve just got to make sure Harvey’s death is not going to be in vain, and if whatever we do saves one life, then it’s been worth us doing it.”
