Matthew Daulby: Man jailed for role in murder of teenager

Henry Houghton denied murder but was found guilty after a trial

A man has been jailed for his role in the murder of a 19-year-old who was stabbed in a fight.

Matthew Daulby, of Liverpool, was found with stab injuries in Ormskirk, Lancashire, on 29 July last year and died a short time later in hospital.

Henry Houghton, 19, of Scarisbrick, denied murder but was convicted after a trial at Preston Crown Court. A second man was cleared of the charge.

Houghton was told he must serve at least 20 years.

Mr Daulby was found after police were called to Railway Road amid reports of an "altercation involving a number of individuals" shortly after midnight.

It later transpired Mr Daulby had been struck in the head by Houghton, who used a "makeshift weapon comprising of a tied up sock containing a rock", police said.

Matthew Daulby died in hospital shortly after the attack

Such was the force of the blow, it caused damage to his brain and likely disorientated him before he also received a fatal stab wound, the court heard.

Police said it was the prosecution's case that although he did not deliver the fatal blow to Mr Daulby, Houghton assisted in his murder and had a shared intention to cause really serious harm or to kill.

Following sentencing, Mr Daulby's father Gary said: "Losing Matthew in these circumstances is incomprehensible.

"The yearning to see Matthew again is overwhelming. Not seeing him grow up, pass his driving test, get his first house, get married, have children. This has all been taken away from Matthew and us as a family.

"We are tortured on a daily basis by what happened to Matthew on that fateful night.

"There is a small comfort in the fact that Henry Houghton has been sent to prison for a very long time. We have also been given a life sentence of grief."

Det Ch Insp Andy Fallows said: "As a result of his senseless and violent actions, Henry Houghton played a significant role in Matthew losing his life. Those actions have resulted in Matthew and his loved ones being robbed of the opportunity to make memories together.

"I hope this conviction and life sentence gives Matthew's family some comfort, knowing that Houghton has been held accountable for his actions."