Harley Brown’s mum bravely faced her son’s killers in court and asked them: “How am I meant to live?”
Janet Brown’s statement was read out to Leeds Crown Court on Monday before her son’s murderers – a 17-year-old and a 15-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons – were handed life sentences.
Harley was “hacked to death” with machetes following a chance meeting with the teenagers in early February this year. The pair had chased him onto Maple Street, Huddersfield, before striking him time and time again with the weapons.
Read more: Harley Brown sentencing live as teen killers get life for ‘unprovoked, merciless attack’
The court heard Harley managed to get back onto his feet and staggered along the road, trying to get help from a passing vehicle before slumping to the floor. Heartbreakingly, CCTV showed him on the floor trying to flag down a car. He was taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary where he later died and a post-mortem examination concluded that he died as a result of a stab wound to the neck.
Harley had suffered 21 slash wounds and three stab wounds.
The teenagers were eventually arrested over the following days and went on to plead guilty to murder. The 17-year-old was ordered to spend a minimum term of 14 years and six months, and the 15-year-old got a minimum term of ten years and three months. They will both have to serve those terms in custody before going before the Parole Board who will determine when they are safe to be released.
In her statement, Janet told how “it all began” with Harley’s birth in January 2006. She went to detail his childhood in London and spoke of her “content little baby” and “mischievous little toddler.” The court heard how Harley moved to Huddersfield to live with his uncle after his mother searched for help after being concerned he was being groomed by gangs in London.
She said: “As soon as we could, we came to Huddersfield. I gave up everything to make sure Harley was safe.”
Speaking of the day of his death, Janet said: “The day came no mother should have to go through…My worst nightmare had arrived. Harley, my son, my world, had been killed – brutally murdered and I couldn’t even see him.
“He had been stabbed to death by two kids…They did this for what? I brought him to Huddersfield to feel safe. I have seen them looking at me, showing no remorse, not giving a damn.”
Addressing her son’s murderers directly, Janet said: “That is my son you’ve killed. You get to continue with your lives, Harley doesn’t, I don’t, his sisters don’t, his brother doesn’t. You have ruined a whole family.
“Even in jail you get your meals, a roof over your head, play on your PlayStations, probably coming out without a care in the world and I hope you think of us having to go through the rest of our lives.
“I don’t want to do anything anymore. I struggle to go to the shops. How am I meant to live? I’m just stuck…
“You two, one day you will find this pain and maybe you will understand how you have destroyed our lives. Your parents, your family, haven’t suffered like we have. You left him there to die. You left him there alone, bleeding to death. How scared did you think he was?
“Did you help him? You could have saved his life. You were more bothered about running away, getting rid of evidence. You cowards. I don’t get why you did this – none of us do.”
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