Warning: this story contains references to self-harm, suicide and mental illness. 

A Harrogate man has been given a hospital order with restrictions for the attempted murder of two children.

Following a nine-day trial in April 2023, George Edward Yates, 42, was found guilty of two counts of attempted murder following an incident in Beckwithshaw on June 20, 2022.

At the time the Judge adjourned sentencing so that Yates could undergo psychiatric assessments.

He was today sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court.

On sentencing, reports were presented back to the court which stated that at the time of the offence Yates was suffering from delusional thoughts before carrying out the knife attack on two children.

Because of his mental state at the time of the incident, the judge sentenced him to a hospital order with restrictions, meaning that should he ever released back into the community, he will be closely monitored by mental health professionals.

‘Placed knives around his house and in his car’

During the trial the court heard how Yates, commonly known by his middle name Ed, and previously of Beckwithshaw, had placed knives around his house and in his car.

He’d also prepared a homemade incendiary device which was capable of causing a fire.

At around 8am on the day of the incident, he attacked the two children with a large bread knife, severely cutting the throat of one child which resulted in life threatening injuries.

Police sealed off the area.

He then attempted to do the same to a younger child.

Hearing the screams of the younger children, a teenager ran to help them and tackled Yates, managing to wrestle the knife from him as he attempted to harm the youngest child.

Fortunately, all three children were able to run away from Yates.

Two decorators working at a house nearby were approached by the children and they protected them from Yates, who had chased after them following the attack.

Pre-recorded interviews of the children recounting the incident, which were conducted by specialist police officers, were played in the court.

The painters and decorators’ evidence was also read out to the court.

The two men described hearing the children’s screams and seeing them running towards them, one with blood pouring from a large open wound in their neck.

The court heard how the men rushed to provide first aid to the children, using one of their own hoodies to try to stem the flow of blood, while they called the emergency services.

The teenager had also suffered a minor hand injury from grabbing the knife away from Yates.

The decorators stated that as they were helping the children, Yates twice approached them, but they protected the children by shouting at Yates to keep back and go away.

Police were called to the scene and after making an initial check on the welfare of the children, they entered a nearby house and found Yates in the bathroom.

He had attempted to take his own life by cutting his own throat and wrists, and superficially stabbing himself in the chest. He’d also ingested liquid morphine, which he’d taken from his mother’s house days before the attack.

Yates was immediately arrested and taken to hospital for treatment to his self-inflicted wounds.

Following treatment, Yates assaulted a police officer who was on bed-watch duty at the hospital.

The most seriously injured child was taken separately to Leeds General Infirmary and underwent life-saving surgery.

‘Utterly horrific and disturbing crime’

Speaking after sentencing, senior investigating officer, detective chief inspector Steve Menzies of North Yorkshire Police’s major investigation team, said:

“This was an utterly horrific and disturbing crime, made all the worse by the young ages of the victims involved. To be attacked in such a violent manner, without any warning, is sickening, and sadly something the children will never forget. Whilst they have made remarkable physical recoveries, and shown immense bravery throughout the incident, the police investigation, and the trial, the emotional effects will be long-lasting.

“Since the attack they have all received support and care from specialist services, and I hope that with further support from professionals, their loved ones, and the sentencing that has been delivered by the courts today, they can put this horrendous incident behind them and move on to more positive times.”

He added:

“I’d like to pay tribute to the outstanding bravery of the teenager. They witnessed a horrific scene, yet tackled Yates and managed to grapple the knife from his hands. Thanks to that swift and decisive action, the younger children survived.

“I also have to commend the two workmen who cared for the children, called the emergency services, and protected them from Yates until police arrived at the scene. Their quick thinking meant that the children received prompt medical care, and also meant that Yates survived his self-inflicted injuries, so he could be dealt with and face justice today. I nominated them, and the older child for formal recognition and I am delighted that the judge formally commended them in her summing up.

“As for Yates, he carried out an appalling attack on two defenceless children, and after hearing the evidence, the jury found him guilty of the attempted murder of the two children. I’m just incredibly thankful that the children survived.

“Finally, I’d like to thank my fellow investigators, and the prosecution team, who worked meticulously and tirelessly on this case to bring about today’s result. This has been a traumatic, disturbing, and highly emotional incident for everyone involved, and I’m grateful to my colleagues for their professionalism and pure determination to ensure justice was served for the three children.”

Read more:

• Bid to trace shopper knocked down by Harrogate M&S thief
• Council tree expert ‘not in a position to support’ Harrogate Spring Water

A Ripon man serving a life sentence for murder died in prison last year of skin cancer, a report from the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has revealed. 

John Hutchinson, then 57, was jailed in 2007 for the murder of father-of-six Sean Webster, of Kirkby Malzeard, in February 2006. The pair, who were good friends, had had an argument at The Unicorn pub in Ripon before going back to Hutchinson’s home in Cavendish Terrace. 

It was there that he shot Webster, 41, using a “dumdum” bullet, a prohibited type of projectile designed to fragment upon impact. 

Hutchinson pleaded not guilty to murder, claiming that the .22 rifle – which had been stolen five years earlier and that he had bought “from the back of a Land Rover” – had gone off by accident as he tried to put it in a bag to give to Webster. 

But the jury at his Leeds Crown Court trial heard that after the shooting he left his home and went to a pub for the afternoon. 

Hutchinson was sentenced to life imprisonment. In a statement released at the time, his family said: 

“We are pleased with the verdict. To lose Sean under these circumstances has been absolutely devastating for the whole family. 

“The taking of a life so young, especially one who was the father of six, a fiancé, a son and a brother was totally unnecessary.” 

Hutchinson was serving his sentence at HMP Lancaster Farms when he fell ill in 2022. He was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in the summer and transferred to the healthcare unit at HMP Preston in the autumn. 

In November 2022, the prison applied for Hutchinson’s early release on compassionate grounds, but the Public Protection Casework Section (PPCS) of HM Prison and Probation Service turned it down as they were not satisfied that Hutchinson no longer posed a risk to the public. 

Hutchinson died on December 22, aged 73. At an inquest held on September 22, 2023, the coroner concluded that he died from natural causes.

Read more:

• Police seek wanted Harrogate man
• Police seek man after public order offence at Ripon Cathedral
• Police begin clampdown on uninsured drivers in North Yorkshire

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:

“No amount of justice will ever compensate for the loss of Seb.

“He was an utterly beautiful soul who filled all of our lives with laughter and treated everyone he met with love and kindness. The chasm in our lives from his loss will never be filled.

“I urge anybody listening to this that carries a knife or thinks it is acceptable to pick up a knife in anger to think again.

“All it takes is one knife. One moment. One stab. And suddenly you are a killer.

“Your life is over and you have destroyed so many lives.”

‘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 was my baby, the youngest of our five boys. Seb was one of the good guys, the best. He loved his life.

“The day that Seb died was the day our lives and many other lives in the Harrogate community and beyond changed forever.”

“We received the devastating news that although the knife wound had been repaired in his heart, it was not enough to save his life. It was the day our family of seven were shattered and broken into a family of six.”

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:

“Seb was a beautiful soul, a courteous, bright, funny, popular, talented and supportive son, brother, grandson, friend and cousin loved by so many people,” she added.

“It’s impossible to comprehend the needless, senseless and violent way such a wonderful young man died. He was ripped away from us all forever, leaving a Seb-shaped hole in our hearts.

“Since the dreadful incident in February, every day is felt with sadness, tears and a heartache (from) losing Seb in such a ruthless and barbaric way. He had such a bright future ahead of him.”

Ms Mitchell, who has been on high levels of medication since her son was murdered, added:

“Whatever sentence is given to Seb’s murderer will never be enough. Seb will still be dead.

“I will still be dreading going to bed every night and dreading waking up the following morning to the awful realisation that I will never, ever see my beautiful, happy, smiling boy again, never hear his laugh, never see him evolve from the loving, kind teenage boy into the brilliant young man we all know he would have been.”

Grandmother’s tribute to ‘dearly loved’ Seb

Seb’s grandmother Lynette Fellows said:

“It’s impossible for me to quantify the abject misery, pain and distress this has had on us all. The loss of a dearly loved child (and) grandchild in the most brutal and senseless of ways has caused a grief so profound no-one can imagine.

“Seb had so many friends and talents with so much to give in the future. He had such a zest for life. Sadly, this future has been cut short in the most cruel and senseless way.”

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:

“If you don’t pay me (for the smashed glass) I will kill you. Like, I will…stab you up and wet you up.”

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:

“It was me. I was scared. Really sorry. This wasn’t meant to happen.”

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.

A memorial stone was unveiled this morning in honour of Harrogate police officer David Haigh, who was murdered on duty in 1982.

Father-of-three PC Haigh, 29, was shot by Barry Prudom at Norwood Edge car park in Stainburn Forest.

Prudom went on the run and killed two more people before turning the gun on himself 17 days later after Britain’s biggest ever manhunt, which involved 4,000 police officers.

PC David Haigh was just 29 when he was murdered.

Family members, who return to the site annually to lay a wreath, told the Stray Ferret last year they were in discussions with the Police Memorial Trust, a charity that erects memorials to British police officers killed in the line of duty.

Those discussions finally bore fruit today and numerous relatives, including PC Haigh’s widow Annette Jakes, children, grandchildren and brother, attended the ceremony. Many still live locally.

Geraldine Winner, the widow of film-maker Michael Winner, unveiled the stone at the spot where PC Haigh is believed to have fallen.

Mr Winner founded the Police Memorial Trust, which has now created 57 memorials to officers killed in the line of duty.

Family and representatives of North Yorkshire Police and the Police Memorial Trust at today’s ceremony.

A 58th is due to be unveiled tomorrow in honour of sergeant David Winter, 31, who was shot during the search for PC Haigh’s killer.

North Yorkshire Police representatives, including chief superintendent Catherine Clarke, were also in attendance.

Ms Jakes told the Stray Ferret the memorial “has been a long time coming” but she was delighted PC Haigh’s sacrifice had now been formally recognised.

Youngest son Richard Haigh said:

“I’m really pleased that after all these years we finally have somewhere where we can come and reflect and think about dad.

“It’s somewhere for everyone to see what he sacrificed — how he went to work and never came home.”

A QR code on the memorial stone takes phone users to a page on the Police Memorial Trust website that gives information about PC Haigh.

The memorial stone is situated where PC Haigh lost his life.

You can watch a video of the stone being unveiled on our Facebook page here.

Read more:

• Family of murdered Harrogate policeman seeks permanent memorial
• 40 years ago today: PC David Haigh was murdered in Beckwithshaw

An anti-knife crime campaigner has called for murderers to be named regardless of age following the conviction of a Harrogate teenager.

Dylan Cranfield, 17, was found guilty of murdering Seb Mitchell, 17, at Leeds Crown Court last week.

Cranfield, who was 16 at the time of the incidentm stabbed Harrogate Grammar School pupil Seb to death with a kitchen knife after a row over a broken mirror at a property on Claro Road.

Cranfield was granted anonymity until the outcome of the trial, when Judge Guy Kearl, the Recorder of Leeds, lifted reporting restrictions on the media.

Seb Mitchell

Judge Kearl said he hoped it would serve as a warning to other young people about the dangers of knives.

But Theresa Cave, founder of the anti-knife crime Chris Cave Foundation, said those convicted of murder should be named regardless of how old they are.

Ms Cave, who is from Redcar, founded the charity in 2005 after her son Chris was stabbed to death two years prior.

She said:

“I feel very strongly that anyone who murders another should be named regardless of age or gender if they are proven with intent.

“They should also face an adult sentence from the age of 16 as they know right from wrong.

“Murder is the most heinous crime and should be treated as such.”

Read more:

• Seb Mitchell trial: Murder accused stabbed victim after row
• Court allows media to name Harrogate boy murderer

Courts have discretionary powers to prevent the media from naming children to protect their welfare. Such orders remain in place until the child reaches 18.

Judge Kearl said the welfare of children had to be balanced against the open justice principle that says the media should be able to report cases “fully and contemporaneously”.

He said the public interest of highlighting the dangers of knife crime meant it was therefore “in the interests of justice to lift reporting restrictions”.

The court will sentence Cranfield on October 4.