Murderer who fled jailed for at least 23 years

Thomas Dures handed himself in at a police station in Greece

A man who fatally stabbed a teenager, then went on the run for 18 months, has been jailed for at least 23 years.

Matthew Daulby, 19, from Liverpool, was knifed in the chest after two groups clashed outside a bar in Ormskirk, Lancashire, on 29 July 2023.

Thomas Dures, 21, who eventually handed himself in at a police station in Greece, was found guilty of murder, following a trial at Preston Crown Court.

It comes after another man, Henry Houghton, of Scarisbrick, was jailed last year for a minimum of 20 years for his role in Mr Daulby's murder.

Matthew Daulby died in hospital shortly after the attack

Mr Daulby was found with serious injuries by police, who were called to Railway Road shortly after midnight on 29 July 2023 after reports of a fight, Lancashire Police said.

The victim was taken to hospital where he later died. A post-mortem examination found he was killed by a single stab wound to the chest.

Prior to the fight, CCTV footage played to the jury during the trial showed Dures and Houghton lurking in an alleyway.

Shortly afterwards, Dures is seen striding towards a group, including Mr Daulby, brandishing a knife.

Dures opened up the blade as he charged towards them, closely followed by Houghton, swinging a makeshift weapon comprising a tied-up sock containing a rock.

Houghton struck Mr Daulby with such force that it caused damage to his brain and likely disorientated him, Lancashire Police said.

It was while he was in this confused state that Dures fatally stabbed Mr Daulby in the chest, the force stated.

Henry Houghton was sentenced to a minimum of 20 years for his role in Matthew Daulby's murder

Dures also stabbed two other men during the altercation, before fleeing the scene after hearing the sirens of an approaching police car.

CCTV footage showed Dures then made a loop of Ormskirk town centre, discarding his jacket on a park bench in Triangle Park.

He subsequently dumped the knife in a narrow passageway near Ormskirk Parish Church, police said

The jacket was later found by a dog walker, and the knife by an estate agent. Both items were handed into the police.

Dures, of no fixed address but formerly of Whalley Drive, Aughton, sent voice notes to his friends before leaving the area in a taxi.

He then went on the run for 18 months, before handing himself in at a police station in Greece.

'Arduous wait'

Det Ch Insp Andy Fallows said the family had had a "long and arduous wait for justice".

"Tomorrow marks two years since Matthew was unlawfully taken from them, and the Daulby family have had to wait patiently for the man responsible for delivering the fatal injury to answer for his crimes.

"Thomas Dures came back to the UK with the intent of getting in the dock and telling a catalogue of lies.

He added: "He pointed the finger of blame at everybody but himself and took no accountability for his actions."