New Year’s Eve celebrations turned to tragedy “in the blink of an eye” when a 16-year-old boy was stabbed in the neck on London’s Primrose Hill, a court has heard.

Harry Pitman was in a crowd gathered to watch the fireworks display over the River Thames from the popular north London park when he was fatally injured shortly before midnight.

A youth, who was 16 at the time, is accused of Harry’s murder and possessing an offensive weapon.

Opening his Old Bailey trial on Tuesday, prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward KC said: “Every year, large numbers of members of the public gather on Primrose Hill to celebrate the turning of the New Year.

“But last New Year’s Eve, 31 December 2023, revelry turned to tragedy in the blink of an eye.

“Harry Pitman, aged 16, was stabbed once, to the neck. He died almost immediately, as a result of that single but deadly injury – a single but deadly injury caused by a knife, brought to the scene by the defendant.”

Jurors heard that uniformed police were at the viewing point in the “posh” north London neighbourhood that night to manage crowds gathered to watch the fireworks.

Harry and the defendant were “complete strangers” and had gone there with different groups of friends, Ms Ledward said.

At about 11pm, Harry had approached special constable David Smith in high spirits, offered him a cigarette and asked him if he was having a good time.

A line of police officers seen behind police cordon tape
Police officers conduct a fingertip search of the scene (PA)

Mr Smith noted Harry seemed excitable and “physically bounced” up to him but was “overall positive in his attitude towards police”, the court was told.

About 20 minutes later, Harry and one of his friends became involved in a row with two other young men but two officers intervened and the victim was said to have tried to calm the situation, jurors heard.

Harry had also engaged in a friendly conversation with Edward Comaromi who had gone to watch the fireworks with family, even insisting on “fist bumping” him and others, Ms Ledward said.

Ms Ledward told jurors the fatal incident appeared to have been sparked by a scuffle between the “lively and boisterous” Harry and a friend of the defendant shortly after 11.30pm.

Harry was said to have been “playfighting” and seeing how high he could kick, causing him to lose his balance and bump into the boy standing behind.

On being pushed from behind, Harry responded: “Don’t touch me, because I didn’t touch you,” before someone slapped the back of his head, the court was told.

During the fracas, the defendant’s friend fell on his back, jurors were told.

A policeman in a yellow coat looks at a bunch of flowers
Flowers left in tribute on Primrose Hill in Camden, north London (PA)

The “fast moving” events that followed were captured on “shocking” and “distressing” mobile phone footage played in court.

The defendant allegedly pushed his way towards Harry, holding his trousers and saying: “Wot wot wot wot wot”.

A female voice could be heard to say “mindi” – the Somalian word for knife – as the defendant produced a blade from the waist of his trousers.

Harry swung a punch and the defendant brought his right arm upwards in an arc and down, stabbing the teenager in the neck, the court was told.

The knife sheath was seen to fly through the air over their heads, the court heard.

Ms Ledward said: “There is no issue that Harry’s fatal injury was caused by the knife in (the defendant’s) hand.”

Police body-worn footage showed Harry holding his neck, his white T-shirt covered in blood, as he push through the crowd calling to officers for “help”. Within minutes, he had died.

The defendant was allegedly seen holding a hunting knife as he made off.

The youth, now aged 17, who cannot be identified because of his age, denies the charges against him.

Mr Justice Cavanagh KC told jurors some of the issues in the case are whether the youth stabbed Harry by accident or in self-defence.

The Old Bailey trial continues.