A smirking teen has been jailed for murder after a much-loved son was smashed over the head with a rock in a sock and stabbed to death.
Henry Houghton, 19, will serve a minimum 20-year jail term for his part in the brutal killing of Matthew Daulby during a mass disturbance on July 29 last year.
Police said they were called to the incident on Railway Road in Ormskirk, Lancs., at 12.05am – with Matthew, 19, found a short distance away with stab wounds.
And despite the best efforts of the emergency services, he tragically died in hospital.
Houghton was later found to have hit Matthew over the head with a rock tied up in a sock – leaving him with a lacerated wound to the left side of his forehead.
Further investigations revealed that this would have caused damage to his brain and likely disorientated him just before his death.
And although he did not inflict the fatal stab wound, prosecutors said Houghton assisted in the murder and shared an intention to cause really serious harm or to kill.
That view was shared by a jury at Preston Crown Court, which unanimously convicted Houghton following a four-week trial today (Fri).
After the sentencing, Matthew’s dad Gary Daulby shared his sadness at the loss of his son, saying it felt like his family had been dealt a “life sentence in grief”.
He 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. It is not natural to outlive your child!”
“Matthew had so much excitement for his future.”
“He was looking forward to starting management course at college, going on his holidays, family events and doing all the things that teenagers do.”
“He was robbed of his life and we were robbed of ours. And all because Henry Houghton chose to arm himself with a deadly weapon and use it in such a devastating way.”
“Matthew was not armed and didn’t stand a chance!”
“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.”
Following the case, DCI Andy Fallows, of Lancashire Police’s Major Investigation Team, said he hoped the sentencing brought Matthew’s family some closure.
He also appealed for help locating Thomas Dures, 20, also wanted in connection with the killing – with a £10,000 reward for any information leading to his arrest.
He 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.”
“We still want to speak to 20-year-old Thomas Dures as part of our ongoing enquiries.”
“I want to appeal to anyone with any information on his whereabouts to either get in contact with the police or Crimestoppers, who continue to offer a £10,000 reward for any information which leads to his arrest.”
Gary Daulby echoed the appeal for Dures adding: “We appeal to anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Thomas Dures to either get in contact with the police or Crimestoppers, who continue to offer a £10,000 reward for any information which leads to his arrest.”
