Liam Mearns

Liam Mearns was stabbed outside an off-licence in Wellesley Road, Clacton on 13 December 2011.

However, his death was later ruled as not unlawful, with the Coroner saying that there was not enough evidence to conclude that it was and an open verdict was returned.

He had been stabbed following a row over a bicycle. It was heard that a man had confronted one of Liam Mearns's friends over him taking his bicycle and that the man had then called Liam Mearns over after which Liam Mearns and some others then went to the man's house in Wellesley Road and after a row he received his injuries.

The wound had pierced his lung and punctured his liver. He also had another stab wound that had pierced his cheek and cut through one of his teeth. However, it was noted that he had not had any defensive injuries to suggest that he had been in a fight.

After being stabbed he managed to stumble away and then collapsed outside the Bootleggers shop.

Twelve people were arrested following his death but all later released without charge.

The Coroner said, 'This court is not sure to the required standard of proof that this is murder or manslaughter. We shall never quite know what exactly happened in the darkness on that day'.

The Crown Prosecution Service said that there was insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction.

Following the finding at the inquest his fiance said, 'I don’t understand how they can say this was not a murder. Everyone can see he was stabbed. It’s not like he fell on the knife'.