Three held over house party murder

Sep 10 2012

Detectives are questioning three teenagers over the murder of an A-level student who was stabbed to death outside a house party advertised on Facebook.

Jay Whiston, 17, was knifed on Saturday night at the gathering that was attended by about 100 teenagers in an affluent area of Colchester, Essex.

It is believed details of the event were circulated on the social networking site, but that a number of uninvited guests turned up.

Jay, of Clacton, Essex, was taken to Colchester General Hospital with abdominal injuries but died shortly after his arrival, having been stabbed at around 10pm. A provisional post-mortem examination showed he died from a stab wound.

A 17-year-old boy and two 18-year-old men, all from Colchester, are being questioned at separate police stations in north Essex on suspicion of murder.

Jay, who studied law and business studies at Tendring Technology College, planned to go to university next year. The victim's mother Caroline Shearer, 46, said her son was trying to protect a friend when he was attacked.

"My son had never been in trouble with the police before. He hated bullies and hated people being unfair," she said. "I still feel numb but I'm starting to feel angry now. How can thugs ruin innocent lives at their will? There's no rhyme or reason to it."

Detectives from Essex Police said every teenager at the party in Marlowe Way was a potential key witness.

The killing has shocked neighbours in the quiet residential street, which is on the outskirts of Colchester. A number of homes were sealed off as police searched for clues. Empty bottles of vodka and cans of lager could be seen strewn across the front gardens of properties in the street.

Marie Partner said a woman and her teenage daughter, who were hosting the party, had spoken to neighbours to apologise in advance for any extra noise: "The mother and daughter took it upon themselves to tell the neighbours there was a party taking place and to apologise in advance if there was slightly more noise than normal. It's so sad. The first I knew about it was seeing the police arrive and the area being cordoned off."