The heartbroken mum of murdered schoolboy Harvey Willgoose has hit out at false claims her son bullied the teen who killed him.
Caroline Willgoose spoke out to address the online rumours, insisting that 15-year-old Harvey and his killer Mohammed ‘Umar’ Khan were actually friends before the attack.
She said: “Our Harvey didn’t bully anybody.”
Caroline’s comments came after Khan, 15, of City Road, Sheffield, South Yorks., was jailed for life over Harvey’s murder.
He must serve at least 16 years before he can be considered for release.
Caroline said she has been left frustrated by some online comments suggesting her beloved son had bullied his killer.
She said: “He [Khan] was bullied, but not by Harvey, and that was made clear in court.
“Umar stood in that dock, and when asked what was your relationship with Harvey, he said ‘we were friends’.”
“Umar asked to sit next to Harvey when he first started at that school – he wanted to sit next to him in science.”
Caroline went on to explain further details of the case, and how Harvey and Khan had both taken different sides when other friends had a fall out.
She explained that Harvey was in the middle of these two groups, trying to resolve the conflict.
Referencing evidence heard in court, Caroline also noted that during online arguments between the groups before the attack, Khan had still referred to Harvey as ‘my first boy’.
Caroline said: “Harvey was trying to get them to be friends, these two groups.”
She added: “He wanted everyone to be friends. They once said to me, when he was in primary school, ‘Harvey’s very popular, he never has any trouble with anybody’.
“But if there was an argument, he would get involved – sometimes it was the right thing to do, sometimes the wrong – and in this case, it’s cost him his life.”
She added that Harvey had been popular at school, with both pupils and teachers: “He was a good lad, and I think that’s why Umar was flattered that Harvey was his friend.
“He got upset when our Harvey took the side of these other kids, but he weren’t – he was just trying to get them to be friends.”
Harvey was fatally stabbed at All Saints Catholic High School in Sheffield on February 3.
Sentencing his killer, Judge Mrs Justice Ellbogen lifted reporting restrictions to allow Khan to be named for the first time.
Caroline said she was in support of this decision.
She said: “This is why I wanted him named, because Harvey’s name has been tarnished because of people getting the facts wrong.”
Caroline added: “It’s been a hard day, emotional day, but another line is drawn under something.
“I feel like a big weight has been lifted off my shoulders.”
