Plea hearing date set for two boys, 12, after Shawn Seesahai, 19, fatally stabbed in Wolverhampton

A plea hearing date has been set for two boys, 12, who are charged with the murder of a man in Wolverhampton last week.

Shawn Seesahai, 19, was stabbed to death on playing fields in East Park, Wolverhampton, on Monday 13 November.

The two boys, who cannot be named because of their age, are charged with Mr Seesahai's murder and possessing a machete.

They made a nine-minute appearance at Wolverhampton Crown Court today and spoke only to confirm their names and dates of birth, before Judge Michael Chambers KC.

After referring to the boys by their first names only, the judge set the date of a plea and trial preparation hearing for January 5 next year.

Addressing the defendants at the conclusion of the hearing, the judge said: “Can you both remain seated.

“The next thing which will happen is that there will be another court hearing at the beginning of January when you will both be asked whether you admit or deny the charges.

"You will be given every opportunity to have proper advice and consider the evidence that is said to be against you.

“In the meantime you must remain in detention accommodation.”

As well as a count of murder, the boys face a second charge alleging they were in possession of “an article which had a blade or was sharply-pointed, namely a machete” without lawful authority.

Ambulance crews were called to land off Laburnum Road, East Park, at 8.41pm on Monday 13 November.

Crews arrived to find Mr Seesahai in a critical condition and began administering advanced life support, but he was confirmed dead at the scene.

Mr Seesahai’s mother said in a statement previously released through police: “Shawn Seesahai was a courageous, compassionate and confident young soul who sadly lost his life at the age of 19.

"We will always have him in our hearts.”

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