The family of a teenage boy stabbed to death just before midnight on New Year’s Eve have said they are “devastated” by his death.
Harry Pitman, 16, was attacked as he waited with friends to watch the central London New Year fireworks from Primrose Hill.
Speaking to the MailOnline yesterday evening outside the family’s house in Tottenham, Harry’s 19-year-old sister, Tayla, said: “It doesn’t seem real, I keep on expecting him to come through the front door.
“His dinner is still in the oven, mum can’t bring herself to remove it.”
“I’m devastated, he was my baby brother. He didn’t even get to see the fireworks, which is why he went to Primrose Hill in the first place.”
Tayla added that her brother could be “mischievous and cheeky” but he “didn’t have a bad bone in his body”.
Harry’s older brother Patrick, 18, also told the Mail his brother, a huge Tottenham Hotspur fan, had gone to Primrose Hill with seven of his friends.
He said: “We are all distraught, it just doesn’t seem real.”
Police were called to Primrose Hill at around 11.40pm on Sunday (December 31) as crowds gathered for the New Year’s countdown.
Investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Geoff Grogan said that Harry had become involved in an “altercation”, and was found with stab injuries.
A 16-year-old boy has since been arrested on suspicion of Harry’s murder.
Neighbourhood group Primrose Hill Watch has estimated that 20,000 to 50,000 people were in attendance to watch the fireworks from the park.
Throughout yesterday (January 1), police and forensic investigators were seen around the area, with access blocked off to the park.
One woman who was at Primrose Hill on the night of the stabbing told Ham and High she had only realised somebody had been stabbed the next morning.
She said: “It seemed very orderly and an overall joyous vibe which is why I was quite shocked to hear of the stabbing.
“Really horrible that such a young life was lost at the beginning of the year.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0208 785 8099.
To remain anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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