In a shocking case that has captured national attention, two boys, aged just 12 at the time of the crime, have been sentenced to a minimum of eight years and six months for the machete murder of 19-year-old Shawn Seesahai in Wolverhampton.
The brutal attack took place on November 13, 2023, and has raised serious concerns about youth violence in the UK.
During the sentencing, Mrs. Justice Tipples emphasized the gravity of the crime, stating, “When you killed Shawn, he was 19, starting out in his adult life with everything to live for.” She lamented the profound loss faced by Mr. Seesahai’s family, noting, “His parents have lost their son. His sister has lost her brother. What you did is horrific and shocking.” The boys were described as strangers to Mr. Seesahai, who had been walking through Stowlawn playing fields with a friend when the attack occurred.
CCTV footage revealed the moments leading up to the assault, where Mr. Seesahai was shoulder-barged by one of the boys before being brutally attacked with a machete. He suffered multiple injuries, including a fatal blow that punctured his heart. Prosecutors stated that the attack was carried out in a matter of seconds, with the boys later attempting to shift blame onto each other.
Mrs. Justice Tipples added, “You both killed Shawn in an attack that lasted less than a minute when he asked you to move (from a bench). I am sure you intended to kill him.” Following the murder, one of the boys was found to have hidden the machete under his bed and attempted to clean it with bleach.
Mr. Seesahai’s parents, Manashwary and Suresh Seesahai, expressed their deep sorrow during the trial. “I felt shocked they’re so young, they’re so small, and they did something like that,” said Mrs. Seesahai. “From the time I see them, I get angry because of what they did to my son.” The couple had plans to relocate to the UK with their family, but their son’s tragic death has altered their lives forever.
Suresh Seesahai added, “You have to have a proper sentencing for knife crime. Murder is murder. They didn’t kill my son the way that someone should be killed. They murdered him.” He urged children to “think about what they’re doing” and avoid carrying weapons.
As the case concludes, it raises urgent questions about youth violence and the need for more effective measures to combat knife crime in the UK.
Biography of Shawn Seesahai
Shawn Seesahai was a promising 19-year-old who had traveled to the UK for cataract surgery and was set to begin an engineering course in Birmingham. Hailing from the Caribbean island of Anguilla, Shawn was known for his aspirations and dreams. His family described him as a bright young man with a future ahead of him.
