Fred Shand: Teenager convicted of murdering schoolboy in Northampton

The father of a 16-year-old boy stabbed to death on his way home from school said that "justice had prevailed" after a boy was found guilty of his son's murder.

Rohan Shand, who was known as Fred, was stabbed to death outside the Cock Hotel on Harborough Road in the Kingsthorpe area of Northampton, on 22 March.

A 15-year-old boy, who was 14 at the time of the attack, was found guilty of murder while a second boy, now aged 17, was acquitted of murder and manslaughter, but admitted possession of a knife.

Neither can be named for legal reasons.

Prosecutors said the attack escalated out of a feud that began two days earlier, between friendship groups from different schools.

Speaking after the verdict, Fred's father Rohan Shand told ITV News Anglia: "I'm still definitely in pain... but I'm just glad to know that justice has prevailed for the guy who committed the crime."

Fred had been walking from school when the 15-year-old found him, having already gone to his school looking for him.

Fred and a friend crossed the road to change their route home after they were warned the teenager was looking for him.

When the teenager approached Fred, he pushed him back into a tree and then stabbed him once in the chest, causing catastrophic blood loss, before fleeing.

Police said the entire incident was over in just seven seconds.

Members of the public followed the defendant to a house where he tried to hide, allowing police to track him down.

Armed officers turned up and found the 15-year-old hiding in an attic room after being told “the guy who did it is still in the house”.

Two knives, one with Fred’s blood still on it, were found at the property, along with discarded clothing and mobile phones.

Det Insp Simon Barnes said: “The level of violence used to resolve a petty dispute between teenagers is horrifying and our focus throughout the investigation has been on securing justice for Fred and his family, and today I hope we have helped deliver that.

“Fred was simply walking home from school when the unimaginable happened. The brutal and public nature of his death caused shockwaves in the local community and his senseless murder had a profound impact on many people."

He added: "Boys and young men need to realise, that when you take a knife to a fight, this is the consequence. The teenager responsible will now carry this guilt and the stigma attached, for the rest of his life."

He also thanked those who went to help Fred as he lay injured, and those who followed the defendant.

“Their quick-thinking helped us to rapidly locate and arrest him and secure evidence that has been vital for the success of this trial," he said.

Fred's family had described the schoolboy as "truly our pride and joy".

Ahead of his funeral in May, they said: “Fred was a loving and kind person, who was respectful to people of all ages.

"He was also such a witty person who knew exactly what to say or do to put a big smile on our faces and was just a fun person to be around."

Both defendants had denied murder, with the younger defendant admitting manslaughter.

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know