Jealous teen who viciously stabbed love rival to death

• Attacker, 17, who can't legally be named, attacked his ex's new love interest

By Andrew Levy[1]

Published: 17:54, 19 December 2023 | Updated: 18:57, 19 December 2023

A jealous teenager who stabbed a love rival to death in a 'vicious' murder will be twice his current age when he is released from prison.

The 17-year-old, who can't be named for legal reasons, sought revenge after another teenager, Harley Barfield[2], began dating his former girlfriend.

He took a kitchen knife from his home and lay in wait for his victim before ambushing him as he walked to some shops to buy snacks for his friends.

Harley, 16, suffered stab wounds to his head, face and shoulder, along with another three to his chest that included a fatal blow which pierced his heart. His attacker then calmly walked away.

The defendant claimed Harley had attacked him with a knife and he had taken it and stabbed him in 'reasonable self-defence'.

The claim was dismissed after detectives recovered the knife near a river and found a matching set at the schoolboy's home.

He also posted a photo of himself on social media with a machete and a message saying he knew how long he would get for murder.

Harley Barfield (pictured) was left fighting for his life in intensive care for nearly two days before he died in Royal Papworth Hospital, near Cambridge

The schoolboy, who admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility but was convicted of murder after a trial, was jailed for life today with a minimum 17 years in custody.

He showed no emotion as Mr Justice Linden KC said he had shown 'little remorse' and was a high risk to the public.

The judge added: 'Your plan to kill Harley was a crude one and was pre-meditated. You acted out of anger and a desire for revenge.'

Harley's mother, Bernice Jaggard, described him as 'sensitive and caring' in a victim impact statement read to court.

He 'did not carry knives', she added.

Revealing how she now suffered from insomnia, flashbacks and panic attacks, she said: 'I miss him so much. My heart is shattered. The physical pain is indescribable.'

Harley's father, Darryl Barfield, added he was a 'bright boy with a big heart' who had been 'brought up to respect people'.

The girl caught up in the love triangle, who was also granted anonymity, said she had become shy and withdrawn and suffered 'constant nightmares'.

The defendant provoked Harley into a fight and swung a punch before taking out the knife on the afternoon of January 9 this year in a car park in Haverhill, Suffolk, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Harley, who like his attacker lived in the town, tried to walk away after seeing the blade but the other teenager followed him and stabbed him up to a dozen times.

Harley died two days later in intensive care at Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge.

The killer had been in an 'intense relationship' with the girl and had shown signs of possessive behaviour towards her, jurors were told.

He appeared to stalk her after they split up, bombarding her with messages and calls when he learned of her relationship with Harley and became 'intensely jealous'.

Police at the scene after Harley Barfield, 16, was stabbed in Haverhill, Suffolk

There were attempts to pressurise the girl to get back with him, including threatening to kill himself and self-harming by carving her name on his knuckles and arm.

He also carried out internet searches into how to stab someone without getting stabbed back and how to get a gun.

In December last year he called the girl 271 times and sent 150 messages, including one that said: 'I am always going to be obsessed with you.'

On the day of the murder, he left school and changed into tracksuit bottoms and a hoodie and 'waited to intercept' his victim.

Harley - with whom he had argued previously over the girl - appeared 'helpless' during the 'vicious attack'.

The killer was also given a restraining order banning him from any contact with his former girlfriend and another teenager who witnessed the murder.

Harley's family have started a petition calling for mandatory sentences for anyone caught carrying a knife with intent to cause harm.

References

1. ^ Andrew Levy (www.dailymail.co.uk)
2. ^ Harley Barfield (www.dailymail.co.uk)