Stabbed boy killed in 'blink of an eye', jury told

"Harry Pitman was allegedly attacked by Areece Lloyd-Hall, 18, in front of revellers who had gathered on London's Primrose Hill to watch fireworks over the River Thames on 31 December 2023. Mr Lloyd-Hall, from Westminster, is charged with murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter, which he denies. Opening his Old Bailey retrial on Tuesday, prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward KC told the court that Harry "died almost immediately as a result of that single but deadly injury"."

"The prosecutor added: "Every year, large numbers of members of the public gather on Primrose Hill to celebrate the turning of the New Year. "But on New Year's Eve, 31 December 2023, revelry turned to tragedy in the blink of an eye." She said the injury was caused by a knife brought to the scene by the defendant, Mr Lloyd-Hall, who was also aged 16 at the time."

Harry Pitman, 16, was stabbed once in the neck and killed at a crowded New Year's Eve gathering on Primrose Hill on 31 December 2023. The alleged assailant, Areece Lloyd-Hall, was 16 at the time and is now 18, and is charged with murder with an alternative count of manslaughter; he denies the charges. Prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward KC said Harry died almost immediately from the single injury. The prosecution says the injury was caused by a knife brought by the defendant. The defence case is that the defendant thought the knife was sheathed and acted in self-defence or defence of others. The retrial continues.

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