Liam Taylor: Family's anguish after tribute removals in Writtle

Floral tributes were left outside a pub after Liam Taylor was murdered and his family have kept placing them there ever since

The family of a murdered teenager said they were "heartbroken" after tributes to him were removed by a council.

Liam Taylor, 19, died in an attack outside the Rose and Crown pub in Writtle, Essex, on 31 January 2020.

His family have since been embroiled in a dispute with Writtle Parish Council about flowers and photographs placed at a tree next to the pub.

The council, which has consistently cleared the items for almost three years, said it would continue to do so.

Mr Taylor's grandmother, Julie, said she asked the council for a memorial bench to be installed at the scene but her request was declined.

Julie Taylor said the tree is the only place her family can go to remember murdered Liam

"The heartbreaking thing for us is Liam doesn't have a resting place," she told BBC Essex.

"So that tree is the only place we've got and we do respect it - we don't have dead flowers there, we don't have the mess."

People found the tributes "very beautiful" and use the location to pay their respects, Mrs Taylor said.

"For some reason Writtle [Parish Council] doesn't seem to have a heart," she added.

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A spokesperson for the council said it was "saddened" by Mr Taylor's death.

They said councillors agreed to remove items which had been placed at the scene shortly after the killing.

"The council liaised with the family to notify them of the clearance in advance so that they were able to remove personal items," they added.

Liam Taylor died after being stabbed in the village near Chelmsford

"The items were cleared on Monday, 23 March 2020 and any items placed around the tree continue to be cleared by the council."

Three men were jailed for life at Chelmsford Crown Court after Mr Taylor was stabbed to death.

Ryan Filby, 22, of Chelmsford and Daniel Daden, 20, formerly of Witham, were convicted of murder and wounding with intent and were told they must serve minimum terms of 21 years.

Louis Colgate, 19, of Chelmsford, admitted murder and was told he must serve at least 16-and-a-half years in jail.