The heartbroken family of teenage stab victim Sean Whyte yesterday told reporters told how they faced a future without ever finding out who killed their son after a teenager accused of his murder was acquitted.

Hasan Mumtaz, 18, of North Street, Colne, in Lancashire was found not guilty of murder and wounding with intent at Preston Crown Court on Friday 30th April. He had denied the charges but accepted he was present during an incident in the street.

He was convicted of violent disorder and unlawful wounding of another resident on the same night.

His brother Wasim Mumtaz, 21, of the same address, admitted being present at the scene but denied any involvement and was cleared of violent disorder.

Case closed

With echoes of the Gavin Hopley case, Police said they had no plans to reopen the case and were not looking for anyone else in connection with Sean’s death in September.

Detective Inspector Tony Harling added: “The jury came to their decision and we have to accept that. We won’t be reopening the case and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with Sean’s death.”

After the case, Sean’s mother Mary Whyte said: “My baby is gone and we have been given a life sentence. What have we got to look forward to in life knowing he is no longer with us?”

Sean’s father Tony McAteer, 42, who is separated from his mother, said he was unhappy that no one had been brought to justice for his son’s death.

The family were last night preparing to visit the spot where Sean, died, in North Street, Colne, before returning home to Scotland today.

Sean, 17, was a popular young man who was halfway through an IT course at Pendle Training Centre. The teenager died following an incident outside a house in North Street, Colne, on September 29 last year. Anti-white racists taunts were heard outside the house where the Whyte family were celebrating Sean’s birthday.

During the trial the court heard that moments before his death, Sean had been singing to his mother at his 18th birthday party. But minutes later he died in her arms after suffering fatal stab wounds.

Hasan was remanded in custody and will be sentenced for violent disorder and unlawful wounding on Friday, May 21.