‘We saw teenage stabbings on the news. But now it’s our grandson’
Grandfather of schoolboy killed on New Year’s Eve says he was always scared that bystanders could die
THE grandfather of a schoolboy killed on New Year’s Eve has said he always worried when he saw news reports of teenagers being stabbed in London “and now it has happened to us”.
Harry Pitman, 16, was killed in front of families minutes before midnight at Primrose Hill in Camden.
A 16-year-old boy, who was arrested on suspicion of murder, was bailed by police yesterday pending further inquiries.
Derek Pitman, Harry’s grandfather, said he had been getting increasingly worried about knife crime in London.
He said that while Harry had never been in trouble, he was always scared for him because “any innocent bystander” could be attacked.
The 71-year-old said: “When we used to see reports of stabbings in Tottenham or wherever, the first thing we thought was, I hope that isn’t a member of my family because it could be any innocent bystander who gets stabbed these days.
“So every time we saw a stabbing we felt relieved when it wasn’t someone we knew. And it hadn’t been, until now.
“Something has to be done. I think if you get caught with a knife it should be straight away, two years in prison – that’s it. Perhaps that would stop it, but I don’t know.”
Mr Pitman, who said the family had been in “a daze” ever since the killing, described the moment he was told Harry had died.
“We got a text from Harry’s dad saying Happy New Year, and then at about half past 12 he rang us again,” he said.
“He was just saying ‘no, no, no it can’t be true’ over and over and then he said Harry’s been stabbed. He’s dead.”
Harry had travelled from his home in Tottenham, where he lived with his siblings and parents Neil Pitman, 39, and Amanda Woolveridge, 37.
He had gone to Primrose Hill with friends to watch fireworks from the vantage point above Camden Town when he was attacked shortly before midnight.
After receiving their son’s phone call, Mr Pitman said he and his wife Pearl, 69, drove across London to Harry’s family home in Tottenham.
“I spoke to the police, and they told me that Harry had been stabbed in the neck and he bled out and there was nothing the paramedics could do.
“When the police told his dad [Harry had died], he punched a hole in the wall. It was awful.
“When we arrived, Neil was in tears and said he had been texting Harry to wish him happy new year and he said he had been confused as to why he couldn’t get hold of him.
“Harry’s dinner was still on the table. Still on the plate. His mum, who hasn’t stopped crying, kept saying that’s his dinner, he hasn’t had his dinner.”
Mr Pitman said Harry had never been in trouble before and described him as “bubbly, full of joy and always with a smile on his face”.
“I’m just walking around in a daze – all of us are. I just texted my son, saying ‘I’m not being a good dad’ because I just don’t know what to say to him, I’m just numb.”
Mr Pitman last saw Harry about two weeks before Christmas, when he came to visit as he had a job at a leisure centre near their home.
He said Harry was a Tottenham Hotspur fan and had decided he wanted to join the Army in the months before he died. “I’m dreading the funeral. I think that is when it will hit home,” he added.
Harry’s murder took the tally of teenagers killed in London last year to 22.
Harry’s sister Tayla, 19, also posted a tribute to her brother on Tik Tok, alongside pictures of the pair growing up.
She added: “I love you H, more than you could ever imagine. I just want you to come home. I’m so sorry my sweet boy, I love you to the moon.”
Yesterday, detectives were seen scouring the area near to where the attack took place with metal detectors.
A large crowd of people gathered for a vigil at nearby Downhills Park carrying flowers and balloons.
Among the attendees were the victim’s mother, brother and sister.
It is estimated that tens of thousands of people were on and around Primrose Hill on Sunday night, and detectives have appealed for witnesses, especially those who might have mobile phone footage, to contact them.