Two 12-year-old boys are now the youngest knife murderers in the UK after being found guilty of killing a 19-year-old in a machete attack.
Jurors found the pair guilty during their trial.
They are believed to be the youngest murderers in Britain since Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, both aged 11, who were both found guilty in 1993 of killing two-year-old James Bulger.
Warning: This story contains details readers may find distressing
Shawn Seesahai, 19, died after a brutal attack on 13 November last year.
During this attack, he was fatally struck on his back, legs, and skull.
The fatal wound to his back was more than 20cm deep and "almost came out" of his chest after going "through his heart".
The boys denied murdering Mr Seesahai but prosecutors said they were jointly responsible for the savage attack.
The detective who led the investigation said his experienced team was left in shock at the age of the killers.
"I have been a police officer for 20 years and this isn't the first time I've been out to a young man who has lost his life in a really violent way," said Detective Inspector Damian Forrest, of West Midlands Police.
"But to then find out that two 12-year-olds were responsible was shocking and made us all on the investigation team stop and pause and think about things.
"But I have got a really professional team with lots of experience and we gathered our thoughts, adapted our policies and processes appropriately, and carried on with the investigation from there."
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| Shawn Seesahai |
Mr Seesahai, originally from Anguilla in the Caribbean, had been staying in Birmingham while recovering from cataract surgery.
He and a friend had walked to a park in Wolverhampton where they met the boys, ultimately leading to the brutal attack
Prosecutors said despite the fact Mr. Seesahai had "offered no violence, nor done anything to offend", he became the victim of a brutal attack.
Neither boy can be named because of their age.
Unprovoked savagery
During their trial, prosecutors explained in detail what happened to Shawn Seesahai.
Prosecutors said one of the boys deliberately "shoulder brushed" Mr Seesahai that evening and then pulled a machete from his trousers.
Mr Seesahai's friend managed to escape but Mr Seesahai ended up on the floor where prosecutors say he was punched, kicked, and knifed by the two boys.
He was hit so hard to the skull with the machete that a "piece of bone had come away".
He also sustained slash wounds to his leg.
The most fatal injury was one from the machete that entered his body from his back, went through his ribs, and into his heart.
"These two boys engaged in a joint attack upon a man who had done nothing wrong, a man with no weapon, who was utterly defenseless on the ground," said Prosecutors.
Mr. Seesahai's mother Manashwary described her son as "very loving".
"He's always there for us, a very protected child. He helped his father [at work] with all the tools, he helped me [at] home with the chores, he loved to do that."
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| Shawn Seesahai's parents |
Shawn's father Suresh says his son used to help him with his work in construction.
"He was always with me, from the time he was born and growing up. When he'd have been around 16 he started to work with me. Whatsoever he knew that I'd need help [with] he'd always be there for me."
'This world is a different world'
Mr Seesahai's parents said Shawn had wanted to build a life in the UK and pursue a career in engineering.
They said he was recovering well from his operation and the family had planned to join him in the UK so they could all be together.
Mrs Seesahai says her son was ambitious.
"He didn't finish school, so after he came here and finished the eye surgery, he said when he felt better he'd finish off school and have his dream."
"He'd always say 'Mom, I want to work, I want my own house, I want my own car.' He'd always say 'Mom, I will be shining'."
Mr Seesahai's father spoke of the need for parents to be more aware of what their children might be up to.
"You don't know what these kids have. This world is a different world. Kids are dangerous now and if we don't pay attention to our kids it will happen every day."
Defendants blamed each other
During the trial, both boys blamed each other for the attack.
One of them admitted to possessing the weapon that was used.
He was the first to give evidence in court and said that he and his co-accused had been sitting on a bench in the park with a female friend when they were approached by Mr Seesahai and another man.
He said Mr. Seesahai pushed them and told them to "move from here".
He said he then told Mr. Seesahai's friend to "get your friend out of my face".
The boy said Mr Seesahai grabbed him in a headlock and that his co-defendant ended up holding the machete and "side-stepped" towards them.
He said that after Seesahai let him go, his friend stabbed him.
Police later found the machete under his bed.
He said he had purchased the weapon for £40 a couple of months before the killing.
He used bleach to clean the blood-stained knife, saying he got the idea from a music video, before hiding it under his bed.
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| The defendants on the night of the murder |
The second 12-year-old gave a very different account.
He claimed his friend had stabbed Mr Seesahai and that he was "nowhere near" him during the attack.
He also denied having the machete in his own hands as the attack unfolded.
He told the court he had pushed Mr Seesahai off his friend, at which point the 19-year-old "grabbed on" to him, forcing them both to the floor.
"I fell on the concrete," he said. "Shawn fell on the grass."
He said his co-defendant then ran after Mr Seesahai, who tripped when his shoe came off and stabbed him more than once.
He said his friend had blood "all over his hands" and on the cuff of his fleece.
When police seized the boys' phones they found photos of knives.
The 12-year-old who had purchased the machete said he had sent photos showing himself holding the weapon because he "thought it was cool".
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| The defendants on the night of the murder |
Jonathan Roe, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS West Midlands, said: "This was a horrifying and random act of brutality, perpetrated by two 12-year-olds who should not have been spending their time arming themselves with a machete and preparing to take a life.
"Today's conviction should send a clear message to those who feel it appropriate to arm themselves with knives or blades - no matter how you may try to justify it, you will face the consequences of your actions."
The boys have been held in secure accommodation since the attack.
Also, check out the story of a man who murdered his wife and stuffed her body in a freezer.
[SOURCE]
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