Seb Mitchell trial: Murder accused stabbed victim after row

WARNING: The following report contains details which some people may find upsetting.

Harrogate knife victim Seb Mitchell was stabbed to death after a row over a broken mirror, a court has heard.

The incident occurred at a house in Harrogate where the two teenagers became embroiled in a row, a jury at Leeds Crown Court was told yesterday.

The boy accused of Seb’s murder, who can’t be named for legal reasons, stabbed Seb in the chest with a kitchen knife which led to a fatal loss of blood and cardiac arrest.

He appeared for the first day of his trial, expected to last six-to-seven-days, yesterday after pleading not guilty to murder. 

Three teenagers who witnessed the horrific incident in the early hours of February 19 this year went to Seb’s aid and called police and an ambulance as he lay barely conscious on a sofa.

Prosecutor Peter Moulson KC said a broken mirror and pane of glass in the kitchen appeared to be the “catalyst” for the fatal stabbing after the boys started arguing and scuffling. 

When police arrived, Seb, who was 17, was unresponsive and falling deeper into unconsciousness. Officers found blood stains in the kitchen, living room and a settee, and a red stain on one of the knives from the kitchen block. 

Seb 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.

Despite the best efforts of doctors, he died two days later.

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 murder suspect, from Harrogate, was brought in for questioning but refused to answer police questions during three separate interviews. He also refused to provide blood and urine samples.

However, he did provide a prepared, legally assisted statement claiming initially that the stabbing was in self-defence and that Seb was the aggressor.

Grabbed knife during argument

The two girls told police that the defendant grabbed a knife from the kitchen and confronted Seb with it during the argument which led to scuffling.

One of the girls said the defendant pushed her away before grabbing the knife and “pointing it at Seb”.

She said:

“We were all trying to hold [the defendant] back.”

She said he seemed “fixated with the [victim]” and that the defendant told Seb: “I’m going to wet you up.”

Mr Moulson said the expression “wet you up” was “London slang” for a stabbing. 

Leeds Crown Court. Picture: the Stray Ferret.

Leeds Crown Court

She said she heard the defendant repeatedly saying to the victim: “I’m gonna kill you.”

She saw Seb and the defendant “on the floor, in the corner of the kitchen, with glass smashed around them”.

They ended up “face to face” while the others tried to pull them apart, but the teenager wielding the knife was “still not listening” and was pushing her away.

She said he pointed the knife towards Seb’s stomach. She tried to grab the knife from the defendant, but he told her: “Don’t touch my f****** knife.”

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 bleeding.

‘Fell on the knife’

The girl called 999 and was told by the teenage defendant 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 the defendant “could kill them” too. 

The girl, who was “too scared to say what actually happened”, told the call-handler: 

“Please be quick. He’s dying. Please. He’s 17. He’s going. He’s just about [breathing] but he’s going.”

In the 999 call – an audio recording of which was played to the jury – the defendant could be heard telling the girl to tell the operator that Seb “fell on the knife”.

Screaming, groans and desperate shouts of “Please, help” could be heard in the background.

The girl told the call-handler: 

“He fell on the floor. There was a knife on the floor. We all had a drink. We need an ambulance. He’s bleeding seriously. He’s not responding.”

A male voice can then be heard saying:

“We need [an ambulance] now or he’s gonna die. He’s unconscious; he’s not responding in the slightest. He’s breathing but he’s not there.”

The girl later told police that Seb was backing away from the defendant who was “getting a bit closer” with the knife and “getting louder and louder”. 

She said the defendant was acting “like he wanted to hurt all of us in there”, which was “very scary”.

The other girl said she saw the defendant “making jabbing motions” with the blade before stabbing Seb. 

She added:

“We were all trying to stop it.

“We were like, ‘You can’t do this, you can’t do this, it’s not worth it’.”

She said the defendant was “waving the knife around, putting the knife to [Seb’s] stomach, jabbing [the blade]”.

“That’s when I looked away and when I walked round the corner there was like a silence… with [the defendant] saying, ‘I’m going to wet you up, it doesn’t take much to put it in you.”

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She then heard her male friend shouting: “You actually just stabbed him.” 

She said Seb was “really drunk”.

The defendant and another teenager were giving Seb chest compressions in an attempt to revive him.

When police arrived, the defendant told them:

“It was me. I was scared. Really sorry. Everyone here are witnesses. I promise I was just trying to defend myself. You can arrest me. This wasn’t meant to happen.”

Mr Moulson said this was a key part of the prosecution evidence as the boy was no longer saying the victim fell on the knife and claiming it was an accident.

The male teenage witness told police that Seb, a black belt in karate who also played football, was the aggressor initially and that the stabbing was an accident. 

He said he saw the two boys wrestling in the kitchen following an argument about the broken glass and then the defendant grabbed a knife and told Seb he would “poke him”.

‘Didn’t intend to kill’

The defendant, who admitted manslaughter at a previous hearing, accepts that he deliberately stabbed Seb but denies murder. He claims he didn’t intend to kill or do really serious harm to the teenager. 

The prosecution now has to prove that he intended to kill or cause Seb really serious harm to prove murder.

Mohammed Nawaz KC, for the defendant, said:

“We do not say he acted in self-defence. We accept it was not responsible or proportionate for [the defendant] to pick up a knife in response to what was going on.”

He added, however, that it was the defence’s contention that it was not a deliberate stabbing with intent to kill Seb or cause him really serious harm. 

A paramedic who arrived at the scene at about 12.20am said that Seb’s clothes were covered in blood. He was laid on a sofa with a 3cm-long puncture wound to his chest.

The trial continues. 

Harrogate’s Rachel Daly set for World Cup semi final showdown today

Harrogate’s Rachel Daly could be set to make another major tournament final as England’s Lionesses play in a World Cup semi-final today.

Daly and her teammates face host nation Australia in Sydney for a place to play Spain in the final on Sunday.

England sit four places above the Australians, known as the Matildas, in the world rankings.

However, Australia will be backed by a bumper home crowd and have built momentum throughout the tournament.

The 81,000 capacity Stadium Australia in Sydney is expected to be sold out.

Daly, who has started all but one game of England’s matches so far, could feature on the left hand side of midfield again.

The former Killinghall Nomads star helped the Lionesses reach the semi-final in a 2-1 win over Colombia on Saturday.

England, who have reached the last two Women’s World Cup semi-finals, will be hoping to make it one step closer to a second major trophy after clinching the Euros at Wembley last year.

England kick off against Australia at 11am today live on BBC One.

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate manufacturing firm appoints new board member

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is an after work drinks event on Thursday, August 31 at The West Park Hotel in Harrogate between 5-7pm. 

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Harrogate manufacturing firm has promoted a long-term employee to its board of directors.

Belzona Polymerics Ltd, which is based on Claro Road, has appointed Charli Walton to the board after 12 years of service.

Ms Walton joined the company, which is a global designer and manufacturer of industrial repair and protection materials, in its marketing team back in 2011.

Now, she becomes the first female member of the Belzona board.

Mrs Walton said: 

“It is a great honour to be appointed to the board of directors. I would like to thank Belzona for giving me this incredible opportunity, as well as for the extensive investment made into my training and development in preparation for my new role.”

Barry Nisill, chief executive of Belzona, added:

“During Charli’s career with Belzona, she has developed an extensive knowledge which, teamed with her boundless enthusiasm, has seen her become an important member of the Belzona leadership team.

“On behalf of everyone at Belzona, I would like to congratulate Charli and wish her every success for the future.”

Knaresborough building society celebrates first anniversary with grant award

A building society in Knaresborough has celebrated its first birthday by offering a £3,000 grant to Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre.

Newcastle Building Society opened its doors in the town’s library last summer.

As part of its anniversary, it has offered a grant to Henshaws from the Newcastle Building Society Community Fund.

The funding will help to purchase iPads and art makers, which will be used to support people living with disabilities and visual impairments.

Heather Pearman, manager of Newcastle Building Society’s Knaresborough branch, said: 

“Since opening our Knaresborough branch we’ve developed a strong relationship with Henshaws.

“Colleagues have lent their time to volunteer with the charity at some of its largest annual fundraising events, including Henshaws Bed Fest, with further plans to support the charity later into the year.”

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Plan approved for new cafe on Harrogate’s Cambridge Street

North Yorkshire Council has approved plans for a new cafe on Harrogate’s Cambridge Street.

The proposal, which has been submitted by Doncaster-based Imyco Construction Ltd, will see the cafe created next to beauty and toiletries shop Bodycare in the town centre.

The allocated space is currently a staircase, which has been “mothballed”, according to planning documents.

The cafe would be situated on the ground floor and be accessed from Cambridge Street.

Further details on the cafe, including name and opening hours, have yet to be revealed.

Council officials have now given the go-ahead to the proposal.

The site is currently subject to plans for 14 new apartments above the planned cafe and Bodycare.

The proposal, which was approved in June 2020, will see the first floor of the building converted into accommodation.

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Harrogate hospital to review emergency department security staff

Harrogate District Hospital is set to review security arrangements at its emergency department.

Officials at the hospital commissioned T3 Security, which is based in Newcastle, to provide security officers overnight on a trial basis in May 2022.

The move came as staff reported receiving abuse and aggressive behaviour from patients and visitors.

At the time, Jonathan Coulter, chief executive of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said the trust made the decision reluctantly.

However, the trust is now set to review the measures despite describing the trial as “successful”.

A spokesperson for the trust said:

“The service aim has been to provide a visual deterrent to those who may seek to be violent and aggressive, and create a more secure environment for patients and staff.

“While the security trial has proven to be successful and helped reduce instances of violence and aggression, we now need to review the temporary arrangements and formalise the service in line with our longer term plans.

“A security service will be in place within the next week to ensure the continued safety of visitors to our emergency department and the staff who work within it.

“We will not tolerate violence, or physical or verbal aggression towards our staff or patients and abuse of any kind may lead to prosecution.”

Security staff were in place at the emergency department between 7pm and 7am.

The move came amid complaints that staff had been abused by patients and visitors when they were asked to wear face masks.

Speaking at a council meeting in November last year, Mr Coulter said it was “a bit of a shame” that the trust had been forced to appoint its own security officers.

He said:

“We were always reluctant to have our own security service on the hospital site because we felt we were a health service, not anything else. I know other trusts went much more quickly into having dedicated security personnel on site.

“We have in the last six months introduced, between 7pm and 7am overnight, our own security service, which is a bit of a shame that we’ve had to do that, but it was something that made the staff feel safer, particularly in the early hours with the emergency department where Harrogate has never had a problem before, but has had an increasing problem.

“I wouldn’t say it’s anything like we get lots of these incidents, it’s a handful of incidents but they don’t need to happen very often for it to be disturbing and for people to get concerned about it.”

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate rental company chief executive to retire

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is an after work drinks event on Thursday, August 31 at The West Park Hotel in Harrogate between 5-7pm. 

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Harrogate rental company has confirmed its chief executive will retire next month.

Neil Stothard, who is CEO at Beckwith Knowle-based VP, has informed the firm’s board of his decision to step down on September 30.

Mr Stothard joined the company as group finance director in 1997. He later became managing director in 2004 before taking up the post as chief executive.

In a board statement, VP confirmed that Anna Bielby, who is currently chief financial officer, will take over as chief executive on September 1 and work with Mr Stothard to ensure an “orderly handover”.

Jeremy Pilkington, chairman of the company, said: 

“I want to record my personal thanks to Neil for his service to the company and me since joining Vp in 1997 as group finance director and in 2004 assuming the role of managing director and subsequently chief executive.

“Working with Neil to exit the general plant hire sector to focus on a specialist rental offering created the platform for our continued success and growth.

“Neil’s dedication and strong leadership has been central to Vp’s prosperity and enables us to look to the future with confidence and optimism.”

Yorkshire Ambulance Service apprenticeship scheme rated as ‘good’

An apprenticeship scheme at Yorkshire Ambulance Service has been rated as good by inspectors.

Ofsted inspected the scheme in June and found that it had good quality of education, as well as outstanding personal development.

Inspectors rated it as good overall.

The trust currently has 587 apprentices, including ambulance support workers, associate ambulance practitioners and paramedic degree apprentices.

It also employs apprentices in corporate services such as finance, operational support, learning and development.

Dawn Adams, associate director of education and organisational development (Interim) for Yorkshire Ambulance Service, said: 

“I am exceptionally proud of our apprenticeship provision in YAS. Our achievement rates are strong and distinction rates are excellent.”

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Harrogate cocaine and cannabis ring jailed for 31 years

Four members of an organised crime group involved in county lines drug dealing in Harrogate and surrounding areas have been jailed for a total of 31 years.

Ermal Biba, 39 of Trafalgar Court, Harrogate, Allaman Tatariku, 26 of Chatsworth Grove, Harrogate, Klajid Lleshi, 23 of Kinloss Court, Barnet, and Adam Sarkowski, 41 of Wedderburn Close, Harrogate, appeared for sentencing at Leeds Crown Court this morning.

Their activities were uncovered by Operation Logic, a police investigation into the supply of cocaine and cannabis in Harrogate and Rochdale, Greater Manchester, which commenced in September 2021.

The operation led police to Ashfield Road, Harrogate on May 5, 2022. where suspects Biba, Tatariku and Lleshi were discovered. 

After attempting to escape and assaulting officers, they were all arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A and class B drugs. Drugs and related items were seized along with cash and cannabis growing equipment.

A search of Sarkowski’s home resulted in mobile phones and sim cards being seized. 

These revealed information about county lines, drug-dealing activity and vehicles used, as well as many messages with customers relating to purchasing drugs. Forensic tests on cash found at the property also revealed cocaine traces.

Evidence uncovered by Operation Logic also connected Biba, Lleshi and Woodley to a large-scale cannabis production facility at Sherwood Business Park, Queensway, Rochdale. 

The site, uncovered by Greater Manchester Police, grew cannabis with a street value of £1,440,000.

In court this morning, Biba, who was described as the ring leader, was jailed for 13 years and six months.

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Tatariku was jailed for seven years and one month and Lleshi was jailed for six years and three months.

Sarkowski was jailed for four years and seven months.

Biba, Tatariku, Lleshi and Sarkowski pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply class A and class B drugs.

A fifth man, Gavin Woodley, 45, of Fairfax Avenue in Harrogate, was given a suspended sentence in March after pleading guilty to allowing a premises to be used under the Misuse of Drugs act.

Speaking after sentencing at Leeds Crown Court, Sinead Brocken, detective constable at North Yorkshire Police, said:

“We are delighted to have put a stop to this organised crime group, headed by Biba, who were responsible for supplying cocaine and cannabis to Harrogate and the surrounding areas for a period spanning between 2019 to 2022.

“Drug rings such as this have a ruinous effect on our society leaving a trail of misery. These individuals acted out of pure selfishness, disregarding the damage caused by drugs to both our communities and those addicted to them.”

Police release CCTV image after burglary in Harrogate

Police have issued CCTV image of a person they would like to speak to after a burglary in Harrogate.

The incident happened at a house on Kirkham Grove in the Bilton area on July 14.

A person claiming to be carrying out maintenance on behalf of the landlord forced their way into the property.

North Yorkshire Police has appealed for the public’s help in identifying the person in the CCTV image.

A police statement added:

“Anyone who can help identify the person is asked to email chloe.winter-atkinson@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and enter collar number 1820.

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“Please quote reference number 12230131089 when passing on information.”

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Three missing Harrogate girls found safe

Three missing girls from Harrogate have been found safe.

North Yorkshire Police confirmed that two 13-year-old and a 16-year-old girl were found in Leeds and returned to their families.

The girls were last seen at 5pm on Thursday (August 10).

One of the 13-year-old girls was found on Friday and the other two were returned to their families yesterday.

A police statement said:

“Protecting vulnerable people is of paramount importance to North Yorkshire Police.”

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Police remove Nazi swastika flag hung over Harrogate Train Station

Police are investigating a suspected hate incident after a Nazi swastika flag was hung from a flat overlooking Harrogate Train Station.

The swastika appeared on Saturday and was visible to commuters until police removed it that night.

It was displayed from the window of a flat on East Parade, high above the train station.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement last night:

“Police in Harrogate are investigating a suspected hate incident after a swastika flag was placed in the window of a flat near Harrogate Train Station on Saturday.

“Two separate complaints were made to North Yorkshire Police.

“Following enquiries, officers attended the property just before 10pm to remove the offensive item.”

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The spokesperson added:

“The matter is now subject to an investigation and the occupant of the flat, who was not present, will be spoken to in due course.

“Officers will also be taking formal statements from the two complainants during the week, as well as conducting further enquiries in the neighbourhood.”

‘We couldn’t believe it’

Harrogate man Thomas Norman, who reported the incident to police, was travelling to the Harrogate Brewing Co. beer festival on Saturday evening when he noticed the swastika at the station. He added:

“We couldn’t believe it at first and had to ask each other if it was what we thought it was, it was uncanny, I’ve never seen that in a real life context.”

It is the second time in just over a year a swastika has been displayed from a property in Harrogate.

On the previous occasion, the man responsible said it was a kriegsmarine flag which he put up to mark the sinking of the Bismarck ship.

Police asked witnesses to the latest incident, or anyone with information, to make a report via the North Yorkshire Police website or by calling 101, option 4.

If you would prefer to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or make an online report.

Quote reference number 12230151540.