Nottingham tram fatal stabbing suspect released without charge

Kyle Knowles was stabbed during a struggle on the tram, police said

A suspect held on suspicion of murder after a man was fatally stabbed on a tram has been released without charge.

Police said Kyle Knowles boarded a tram in Nottingham armed with a knife and began an unprovoked attack on a passenger on 26 June.

The passenger, a man in his 20s, sustained stab wounds defending himself and in the struggle, Mr Knowles was stabbed with the knife.

The man was arrested but officers have concluded he acted in self-defence.

Mr Knowles had boarded the tram in Bulwell, before it came to a stop in Basford.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A murder investigation was launched and police conducted interviews with passengers and witnesses on the tram, in addition to looking through CCTV.

Nottinghamshire Police said the suspect was recalled to prison because he was in breach of his licence for an offence committed in 2016.

Officers were called to the tram stop on 26 June

However, the force said he was not wanted for any outstanding crimes at the time.

The man has now been released without charge, after police sought advice from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Supt Chris Pearson described the investigation as "meticulous".

He said: "Our thoughts remain with the family, and everyone affected by this tragic and deeply distressing incident, which resulted in the loss of a young man's life.

"Keeping people safe in our city and communities is our priority and we will continue to do all that we can to target the minority of people who carry or use knives."

The tram only came to a halt when it reached the tram stop at Highbury Vale, police said.

A NET spokesman said: "Whenever there is an incident or medical emergency on board a tram, the driver can only stop where it is safe to do so.

"In most cases the nearest tram stop is also the easiest place for emergency services to quickly deliver assistance once they are alerted to any incident."