NEWS STORY : Jovarn Esterine Has Sentence Increased for Role in Killing of Teenager Harleigh Hepworth

STORY

Jovarn Esterine, 18, from Wolverhampton, has had his prison sentence increased from seven to nine years for his involvement in the violent robbery and killing of 17-year-old Harleigh Hepworth, following a review by the Court of Appeal. The case was referred under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme by the Solicitor General, Lucy Rigby KC MP, who described the original sentence as inadequate given the severity of the crime.

On 7 March 2024, Harleigh Hepworth and a friend travelled from Rugeley, Staffordshire to Wolverhampton, where they met Esterine and another teenager. The two visitors were lured to a park where they were confronted and robbed. When Harleigh asked for his phone back, the other teenager fatally stabbed him. Simultaneously, Esterine held a knife to Harleigh’s friend, preventing any attempt to intervene. After Harleigh was stabbed, Esterine threatened the surviving victim at knifepoint, demanding the passcode to his phone. Both attackers fled, leaving Harleigh fatally wounded in the park. Esterine, who has previous convictions for theft and other offences, was originally sentenced in January 2025 to seven years’ detention for manslaughter, possession of a bladed weapon and two counts of robbery. That sentence has now been extended by two years following the Court of Appeal’s ruling.

“Jovarn Esterine played an important role in Harleigh’s killing before callously leaving him to die” said the Solicitor General. “Harleigh had his whole life ahead of him. This government will not tolerate mindless violence and I will intervene to ensure justice is served.”

In a statement read to the court, Harleigh’s family said they had been robbed of the chance to watch their son grow into adulthood. The unnamed teenager who delivered the fatal blow cannot be identified for legal reasons.