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04
Dec 2023
Brother of murdered Seb Mitchell issues knife plea to young people
The eldest brother of murdered Harrogate boy Seb Mitchell has urged young people to "think again" about carrying knives after the killer was sentenced today.
Dylan Cranfield, 17, plunged an eight-inch kitchen knife through Seb's heart, causing a fatal loss of blood and cardiac arrest after an argument at a house party.
He received a life sentence at Leeds Crown Court today – but will be eligible for parole in a little over 10 years.
Seb’s family read out heart-rending victim-impact statements expressing their devastation at the loss of a “beautiful, kind soul” and their wish to see Cranfield jailed for “many years”, the Harrogate killer.
Jack Mitchell, Seb's eldest brother, also warned other young people to "think again" about carrying knives. He said:
'Every day is felt with sadness, tears and heartache'
Seb’s mother Sonya Mitchell said Cranfield had committed “the ultimate betrayal” by killing his friend, which had destroyed her family’s life.
She added:
Seb Mitchell. Picture: Sam Mitchell.
She said her family were enduring a “life sentence of pain and misery that will never, ever leave us”, adding:
Ms Mitchell, who has been on high levels of medication since her son was murdered, added:
Grandmother's tribute to 'dearly loved' Seb
Seb’s grandmother Lynette Fellows said:
She said her beloved grandson was kind to people and animals alike and “those blue eyes…always sparkled with love and a sense of fun”.
Murder after row over mirror
The incident, which was witnessed by three other teenagers, occurred at Cranfield’s house on Claro Road, Harrogate, where the two boys became embroiled in a blazing row.
Seb, who was just a week away from his 18th birthday, died two days after being stabbed in the chest by his friend who was “heavily intoxicated”, said prosecutor Peter Moulson KC.
Dylan Cranfield
Cranfield, of Claro Road, was found guilty of murder following a nine-day trial in August after the jury decided he had used the knife with intent to cause grievous harm.
Judge Guy Kearl KC, the Recorder of Leeds, lifted reporting restrictions allowing the press to name Cranfield who had previously remained anonymous due to his age.
The jury heard how the incident was triggered by a smashed mirror after Harrogate Grammar School student Seb had pushed Cranfield into a door during an argument. Within seconds, the two boys were squaring up to each other, shouting and swearing, whereupon Cranfield grabbed a large knife from the kitchen block and pointed it towards Seb’s stomach.
“A minute or two” since the initial argument, Seb was laid out on a sofa with a chest wound and gasping for breath, his face going white.
Read more:
- Harrogate boy given life sentence for murder of Seb Mitchell
- Harrogate boy murder: ‘Killers should be named regardless of age’, says campaigner
- Court allows media to name Harrogate boy murderer
Three teenagers who witnessed the incident in the early hours of February 19 went to Seb’s aid and called police and an ambulance as he lay barely conscious on the settee.
Mr Moulson said that when police arrived, Seb was unresponsive and falling deeper into unconsciousness.
He was taken to Harrogate District Hospital by ambulance, but his condition was so critical he was transferred to Leeds General Infirmary where he underwent emergency surgery and was placed in a medically induced coma, but despite the best efforts of doctors he was certified dead two days later, having suffered “catastrophic” brain damage due to fatal blood loss which led to a lack of oxygen reaching the brain.
'I'm going to wet you up'
Police launched a murder investigation and spoke to two girls and a teenage boy who were at the house that night where drinks had been consumed.
The three teenagers had tried to separate the two boys and calm Cranfield down, but he pushed one of the girls away before grabbing the knife and “pointing it at Seb”.
She said that Cranfield seemed “fixated with (Seb)” and told him: “I’m going to wet you up.”
The expression “wet you up” is London slang for a stabbing.
She said she heard Cranfield repeatedly tell Seb: “I’m gonna kill you.”
Cranfield told Seb:
The girl saw Seb and Cranfield “on the (kitchen) floor, with glass smashed around them”.
They ended up “face to face” as Cranfield pointed the knife towards Seb’s stomach. She tried to grab the knife from Cranfield, but he told her: “Don’t touch my fxxxxxx knife.”
Police at the scene on Claro Road.
The two boys were still shouting at each other as the fight spilled over into the living room, but then Seb fell silent and was laid out, grasping his chest which was oozing blood.
The girl called 999 and was told by Cranfield to tell the ambulance operator that Seb had fallen onto the knife on the floor and that it was an accident. The two other teenage witnesses went along with this because they thought Cranfield “could kill them” too.
'This wasn't meant to happen'
When police and an ambulance crew arrived just after midnight, Cranfield told them:
The court heard that earlier in the evening, Seb, Cranfield and others had been drinking vodka. They carried on drinking at Seb’s grandparents’ house while they were away for the weekend.
Mr Moulson said that following Cranfield’s arrest, police also found a lock knife at the scene which was not used or produced during the incident, but he was charged with a separate offence of possessing a blade.
Seb, a black belt in karate who also played football, was put on life support following the stabbing but died later surrounded by his family.
Mohammed Nawaz KC, for Cranfield, said there was “no doubt” that drink had played a part in his client’s behaviour on the fateful night.
He said that while there was “love and guidance” in Cranfield’s childhood, a “degree of instability” had informed his early life and “that may have impacted on his…life choices that led him to the position that he is in”.
Judge Kearl KC said that Cranfield’s alcohol-fuelled, “spontaneous” act of violence had caused a lifetime of trauma for Seb’s family.
He imposed a life sentence on Cranfield with a minimum term of 11 years, which the teenager must serve behind bars before becoming eligible for parole, less the nine months he had already spent on remand.
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