A teenager was "hacked to death" by two attackers under the influence of nitrous oxide
A court has heard that a teenager, Harley Brown, was brutally murdered by two attackers who were under the influence of nitrous oxide. The 17-year-old victim was hacked to death following an unexpected encounter with two other teenagers he knew outside a 24-hour shop in Huddersfield. The attackers, who pleaded guilty to murder, were sentenced to life on Monday.
The elder boy, now 17, received a minimum term of 14 and a half years in prison, while the younger one, now 15, was given at least 10 years and three months. Both admitted to being under the influence of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, on the night of the attack. Due to their age, the identities of the killers cannot be disclosed.
The court heard that Harley's mother left the courtroom in distress after the sentencing of the younger boy, and the family broke down in tears as footage was played, showing Harley injured and attempting to flag down cars.
The murder occurred in the early hours of February 20 this year in the West Yorkshire town. Harley, who had relocated from London in 2020 for a safer life as his mother became concerned about potential grooming, became the tragic victim of this brutal attack On the day of the assault, Harley, accompanied by a female friend, encountered his assailants outside a shop on Wakefield Road. Described as appearing "panicked," Harley was addressed with the words "Wagwan young dripper" by one of the attackers, referencing Harley's nickname, Dripzz.
CCTV footage depicted Harley fleeing and being chased, with the older teen producing a large knife from his trousers. Subsequently, the 15-year-old struck Harley, who fell to the ground, while the assailant used another knife on him. Although Harley managed to rise and retaliate, the older teenager joined in, subjecting him to "heavy and numerous" blows to his body, legs, and head, as detailed in Leeds Crown Court.
After the attackers departed, Harley, visibly injured, struggled to his feet. CCTV footage captured him discarding a knife, later found to have the younger defendant's blood on it. Bleeding profusely, he attempted to seek assistance from a car, only for it to reverse away. Harley underwent emergency surgery and was taken to the hospital but tragically succumbed to his injuries on the same day.
The post-mortem examination revealed that he sustained 24 injuries, with a fatal cut to his throat. A machete-style knife, measuring 25cm, was discovered by a member of the public. In an impact statement, Harley's mother fondly remembered him as an intelligent boy who loved books, especially those about animals and insects. The court learned that Harley faced difficulties upon entering secondary school, prompting his mother to relocate from Deptford to Huddersfield in pursuit of a safer life.
"We moved to Huddersfield to start a new life. I gave up everything to make sure Harley was safe," expressed Janet Brown. She described Harley as someone who uplifted others when they were down, emphasizing his kind-hearted nature. Living near the site of her son's murder, Harley's mother shared that it made her feel "physically sick."
Judge Mrs. Justice Cheema-Grubb strongly condemned the act of carrying knives in public, asserting that it does not ensure safety for young men. She emphasized that carrying a knife is not a display of strength but a perilous path leading to despair and destruction.
While prosecutors suggested gang rivalry as a possible motive, the judge stated that there was no evidence to support this claim. The 15-year-old perpetrator maintained that he held no grudge against Harley but decided to confront him on behalf of others who believed he owed them money.
