Boys' murder of man was family's 'worst nightmare'
· BBC NewsAlex McIntyre & Eleanor Lawson
BBC News, West Midlands
The family of a man who was murdered by two 12-year-old boys have revealed the emotional anguish caused by his death.
Their statement came as the boys, now 13, appeared in court for the start of a two-day sentencing hearing after they were convicted for killing Shawn Seesahai, 19, with a machete in Wolverhampton.
Nottingham Crown Court heard the family had suffered both mentally and financially as a result of Mr Seesahai’s death.
It also heard how one of the two killers, who cannot be named because of their age, had been groomed and trafficked, as well as encouraged to possess knives.
Dorothea Hodge, the UK representative for the government of Anguilla, Mr Seesahai’s home country, read out a statement on behalf of the family during the hearing.
The family described Mr Seehasai’s death as "tragic, unexpected and senseless” and said it was their “worst nightmare”.
"It has left a huge hole in the pit of our stomach which nothing can fill. We are devastated as a family, totally heartbroken, and confused," they said.
The family added that they had used up all their life savings to repatriate his body back to Anguilla and had to take out a loan to attend the trial earlier this year.
"No-one expects to have to bury their own child. We were not prepared for this,” they said.
Mr Seesahai had travelled to the UK for eye surgery and had been living in Handsworth, Birmingham, at the time of his death.
He had travelled to Wolverhampton with friends on 13 November and was set upon in an unprovoked attack on Stowlawn playing fields in East Park.
Jurors heard during the trial that he was attacked with such ferocity that in one blow, the 16-inch (42.5cm) machete almost passed through his body.
During Thursday's hearing, judge Mrs Justice Tipples said there had been conflicting evidence throughout the trial over who wielded the weapon.
Michelle Heeley KC, prosecuting, described the pair as "the youngest knife murderers".
She said one of them had experienced "significant trauma" in his life and had been at risk of child criminal exploitation.
Rachel Brand KC, defending, said the boy had been "groomed, exploited and trafficked" by men in the wider community, who encouraged him to carry knives.
But Ms Brand said he was now making "good progress" at a secure unit where he was being held.
“There can be optimism that his behaviour can be turned round," she added.
During discussion of the sentencing guidelines, Ms Brand said sentences were not designed to cure the wider issue of knife crime.
“You are dealing with an individual child,” she told Mrs Justice Tipples.
The court heard the other boy had not experienced the same welfare issues and had expressed "maturity beyond his years".
He was said to have denied the offence but expressed remorse for what had happened.
Paul Lewis KC, who was representing the boy, said it was the other boy who took the knife out, who "habitually carried one" and who was involved in any initial confrontation at the bench in the park.
He spoke little of his client's background but said his behaviour at school had "not been an issue" and he had once been awarded student of the year.
“His prospects of rehabilitation are excellent," he added.
'They did everything together'
In their statement, Mr Seesahai's family described him as a helpful and hard-working man who was "incredibly close" with his 15-year-old sister Shana.
“Their bond was unbreakable. Shawn was more than a brother to her, he was her best friend. They did everything together," the family said.
“It is hard to imagine how she will come to terms with his death."
The statement went on to say how she had always dreamed of being at his wedding and of him being at hers.
“The fact he won’t be there for her graduation or wedding hurts her so much," the family said.
“Shawn’s passing affected her so much, to the point where it’s taken a toll on her mental health and affected her academic performance.”
The two boys are due to find out their sentences when the hearing resumes at Nottingham Crown Court at 11:00 BST on Friday.
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