In a tragic end to what should have been a night of celebration, 18-year-old Kajetan Migdal was fatally stabbed in an unprovoked attack shortly after attending his school prom. The incident occurred on Cutty’s Lane in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, on the evening of May 27, 2022.

Patrick Sharp-Meade, 20, from the same street where the murder took place, has been found guilty of the crime. The attack was spurred by Sharp-Meade’s mistaken belief that Migdal and his friends had interacted with his ex-girlfriend. Despite Sharp-Meade’s claims of suffering from “neurodevelopmental disorders,” a jury at Luton Crown Court rejected his defence and convicted him of murder.

The court heard how the victim, a recent attendee of the St John Henry Newman Catholic School prom, was with friends preparing to head to an after-party when they were confronted by Sharp-Meade. Armed with a large “zombie-style” knife, Sharp-Meade attacked Migdal, who was standing near his car.

Jane Bickerstaff KC, prosecuting, recounted the harrowing moments leading to Migdal’s death. After seeing his ex-girlfriend pass by the group while on the phone, Sharp-Meade, who was in his flat, overheard the conversation and became irrationally jealous. He then armed himself, confronted the group, and fatally wounded Migdal.

Migdal, described by his grandmother Lorna Buckland as a “pacifist who hated violence,” was rushed to Lister Hospital in Stevenage but succumbed to his injuries in the early hours. Buckland, in a heartfelt statement outside the court, remembered her grandson as the “life and soul” of their family, noting the profound impact his loss has had on them.

In addition to his academic achievements, Kajetan Migdal was known for his talents as a dancer. He had appeared on BBC TV’s ‘Greatest Dancer,’ was part of the dance group Prospects Fraternity, and won a world street dancing championship in 2017.

The verdict brought emotional reactions from Migdal’s family and friends present in the courtroom, who were seen crying and embracing each other following the jury’s decision.

Sharp-Meade is scheduled to be sentenced on May 17, where he will face a mandatory life sentence, with the judge set to determine the minimum term he must serve. The case has highlighted the devastating impact of senseless violence and the irreversible sorrow it brings to communities and families.