November 15, 2023
Riel Karmy-Jones KC and Nicola May have prosecuted a teenage boy for the fatal stabbing of 16 year old Harley Barfield in Haverhill in January of this year.
Following a trial lasting 6 weeks at Ipswich Crown Court, the 16-year-old defendant was convicted of murder on Friday 10 November. He cannot be named for legal reasons due to his age.
The incident occurred at just after 3pm on Monday 9 January, 2023 in a car park. Harley had been walking towards the shops with a friend when he was approached by the defendant-who appeared to have been waiting for him. The defendant then instigated a fight between the two boys, which initially began with punches being thrown, before the defendant pulled out a knife and began stabbing Harley in a violent attack.
The post-mortem examination identified that Harley had sustained a number of stab and puncture wounds, with the one to his chest and heart proving to be fatal.
The court heard that the motive for the attack stemmed from the defendant’s obsession with Harley’s girlfriend, whom he had dated previously. He refused to accept the relationship had ended and became jealous of Harley, regarding him as an obstacle to a reunion with his ex-girlfriend, and seeking revenge.
The defendant pleaded guilty to manslaughter and possession of the knife, but denied murder raising the partial defence of diminished responsibility, which he said arose as a result of Autistic Spectrum Disorder.
Sentencing will take place at Ipswich Crown Court on Tuesday 19 December.
Riel Karmy-Jones KC has over 20 years’ experience in murder cases and a high-profile practice which includes Murder & Manslaughter, Serious Organised Crime, Sexual Offences, and Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking, particularly cases involving vulnerable witnesses and defendants: [Riel Karmy-Jones KC profile ]
Nicola May is an experienced senior junior who both prosecutes and defends in the full spectrum of Crime cases encompassing Murder & Manslaughter, Sexual Offences (including historical sexual abuse), neglect, and large scale Drugs Offences conspiracies: [Nicola May Profile]
Read news stories:
[BBC News]
[ITV News]
[Suffolk Police]
[East Anglian Daily Times]
