“Harleigh’s is another young life lost before he had the chance to know what life is about.” Those are the words of the family of Harleigh Hepworth, who at the age of 17, had his life cruelly taken from him.
Today, two teens have been convicted of killing Harleigh in a park in Wolverhampton, earlier this year.
Harleigh, who lived in Rugeley, had been visiting the city with a friend in the afternoon of Thursday 7 March. After arriving in Wolverhampton on the train, the two headed to West Park in Park Road West, to meet the two eventual killers.
After walking through West Park, Harleigh and his friend were confronted by the two youngsters who had met the duo with an ulterior motive. Then, following a brief exchange, Harleigh was fatally stabbed in the chest by the 17-year-old – who cannot be named for legal reasons. After receiving the single stab wound to the chest, Harleigh ran from the scene but tragically was found lying in the park bleeding. His friend called around for help but despite a passer-by stopping and calling emergency services, Harleigh died from his injuries.
As Harleigh was stabbed, Jovarn Esterine put his arm around Harleigh’s friend to prevent him from intervening to protect his friend. And after the 17-year-old was fatally stabbed,
Esterine held a knife to the friend’s chest, threatening to kill him unless he handed the passcode to his phone which was then stolen.
Esterine, who was 17 at the time but has since turned 18, along with the 17-year-old, left the park and ran away from the area discarding one of the stolen phones in a nearby drain.
Two days after Harleigh’s death on 9 March, detectives arrested the 17-year-old boy. Esterine, from Wolverhampton, was arrested from his home on 10 March.
Both denied murder and refused to answer any further questions during police interviews.
But today, following a six-week trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court, the 17-year-old boy was found guilty of murder and robbery. Esterine was found not-guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter and robbery. The pair will be sentenced at a later date.
The family of Harleigh paid tribute to him, saying: “On the 7th March, two weeks after his 17th Birthday, Harleigh had his short life ended in an instant through a moment of mindless aggression.
“Our family, his girlfriend and close friends will no longer be able to enjoy seeing him grow, mature and enjoy life. He had positive plans for his future. Harleigh had a great sense of humour, he was funny, and he was polite. We will miss him massively, but we will always remember his cheekiness, his infectious smile and the fun times we had together.
“Harleigh’s is another young life lost before they had the chance to know what life is about.”
Det Insp Ade George, who led the investigation by the Homicide Unit, said: “Throughout this case our thoughts have always been with Harleigh’s family who have been devastated by his death.
“We hope that the conviction will provide a sense of justice for the unjust killing of Harleigh.”