Family of ‘honest’ man murdered by twelve-year-olds ‘heartbroken’ over ‘horrific’ attack

At the start of a two-day sentencing hearing at Nottingham Crown Court, a victim impact statement was read to Mrs Justice Tipples on behalf of the victim’s family who joined via video link from Anguilla.

Reading in court, the UK Representative for Anguilla, Dorothea Hodge, said: “We as a family are struggling in so many ways since Shawn was taken from us, especially in the horrific way he was taken.”

Shawn Seesahai

PA

“Losing a child is a parent’s worst nightmare.”

The statement continued: “We are devastated as a family, totally heart broken and confused.”

Shortened periods were held in court in light of the boys age, both of whom appeared wearing a shirt and tie.

Shawn was described as a “humble, unique person”.

Tributes for Shawn Seesahai

PA

“Always confident” and “very honest”. “A brave soul, generous and compassionate.”

“We will always love Shawn and he will always have a special place in our heart.”

The family also said the murder has taken a toll on “mental health, academic performance, and family finance”.

“No one expects to have to bury their own child. We were not prepared for this.”

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Child with machete

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Seesahai died after being stabbed in the heart and suffering a skull fracture on Wolverhampton’s Stowlawn playing fields in November.

The two teenagers, who are now aged 13 but still cannot be named because of their age, were convicted of Shawn Seesahai’s murder in June.

The young man had come to the UK from Anguilla in the Eastern Caribbean for an eye operation.

In court for the prosecution, Ms Heeley KC mitigating said, the boys are the UK’s “youngest knife murderers” and there is “little precedent” in sentencing them.

Nottingham Crown Court

PA

The sentence should “focus on rehabilitation”, she said.

Ms Brand KC, defending one of the boys, described an “genuine expression of regret and remorse”.

“This crime was not premeditated.”

Also defending, Mr Lewis KC said: “We do invite my lady to be sure that whoever used the knife were intent to kill.”

“He’s been no problem since. Prospects of rehabilitation are good.”

Mrs Justice Tipples is to hand down her sentence tomorrow on the final day of the hearing.