Two 12-year-old boys have appeared in court charged with using a machete to kill a 19-year-old man in a park in Wolverhampton.
Shawn Seesahai died after being stabbed shortly before 8.30pm on Monday while he was with friends on open fields near Stowlawn primary school in the East Park area of the city.
The two schoolboys, who cannot be named because of their age, have been jointly charged with murder and the possession of a bladed article, specifically a machete.
The pair appeared at Wolverhampton youth court, sitting at Birmingham magistrates court, on Friday morning, where they each spoke to confirm their name, date of birth and address.
The boys appeared sombre as they sat in the dock, with a number of their family members in court for the short hearing.
The district judge Graham Wilkinson remanded the boys in youth detention and they will next appear at Wolverhampton crown court on Monday.
On Thursday, West Midlands police said: “Police patrols are continuing in East Park to offer reassurance to the public and our thoughts remain with Shawn’s family and friends.”
The prosecutor Iqra Naeem said Seesahai had arrived in the country in April.
Seesahai’s mother said her son “was a courageous, compassionate and confident young soul who sadly lost his life at the age of 19”.
“He was looking forward to accomplish many future plans and ambitions. He cared dearly about his family and friends and he absolutely loved to help people,” she said.
“He was a generous person and had a good personality. We will always have him in our hearts.”
