Police tried to revive machete victim, jury told

Shawn Seesahai
Shawn Seesahai died on 13 November last year [Family photo ]

Police officers made repeated attempts to resuscitate a machete attack victim, a murder trial has been told.

Two 12-year-old boys both deny murdering Shawn Seesahai, 19, who was found on Stowlawn playing fields in East Park, Wolverhampton, on 13 November.

The third week of prosecution evidence against the boys included a list of agreed facts presented to Nottingham Crown Court by prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC.

One of the defendants denies and the other admits possession of a machete at the scene. Their identities are protected by a court order.

Warning: Readers may find details of this case upsetting

Both defendants also deny inflicting injuries on Mr Seesahai, who suffered a skull fracture and a fatal 23cm-deep (9in) wound, which passed almost all the way through his body.

Ms Heeley told jurors two police officers were directed to go to the scene after reports of a stabbing.

When they arrived, she said, they saw an ambulance parking and one officer spoke to a young female who told him the victim was "lying in the middle of the field".

"When he got to Shawn Seesahai he saw that his eyes were wide open but looked glazed," Ms Heeley said.

After checking if he was breathing, the officer started to perform CPR, the court heard.

Ms Heeley said the officer was then asked to stop by West Midlands Ambulance Service staff so they could identify the location of the wound.

"He then continued CPR as did other police officers who attended the scene," the prosecutor said.

"Throughout the time they were there Shawn Seesahai did not breathe, and their resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful."

The 19-year-old was pronounced dead at 21:11 GMT, the jury heard.

Mr Seesahai, who lived in Handsworth, Birmingham but was originally from Anguilla in the Caribbean, had travelled to the UK to receive treatment for cataracts.

One of the 12-year-olds was arrested on suspicion of murder at 21:30 GMT the next day, while watching television at his home, the court heard.

During a search of the property, a hoodie and jogging bottoms allegedly worn by the youth were found mixed up with clothing in a laundry basket. A machete was found in his bedroom inside the bed frame, the court heard.

The trial continues on Tuesday, when the Crown is expected to close its case.

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