Boy who fled murder gang sought

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Detectives are trying to trace a teenage boy who may have been chased by the same gang that killed a 16-year-old Army cadet on Merseyside.

Joseph Lappin was stabbed in the heart after being chased by a gang of up to 15 youths in Everton, Liverpool.

Five people have been bailed over the attack, which happened near Shrewsbury House Youth Club last week.

On Monday, detectives appealed to a youth on a bike who was chased shortly before Joseph was killed.

Merseyside Police have already interviewed a number of young people who were in the youth club at the time of the attack.

Det Supt Steve Naylor, leading the inquiry, said tracing the boy, who is believed to be a teenager, was particularly important.

The net is closing in and it would be better for you to come forward now if you were in that group and know who is responsible Det Supt Steve Naylor

"We believe that the same group which attacked Joseph also chased the boy on the bike and he could have information which could prove vital to our inquiry," he said.

"I would appeal to him, or his parents and friends, who he may have told, to come forward with information."

The detective has also appealed to anyone who was part of the gang who carried out the attack.

He added: "Some of those who were in the group may not have realised the enormity of what was about to happen on that night and they may be horrified by the fact that a young boy, who had everything to live for, has now died as a result.

"I would appeal to their consciences - you may not have been the person who fatally injured Joseph and may never have intended to seriously harm somebody, but by not coming forward you are protecting those responsible for what was a cowardly and vicious attack on a young boy."

Toni and John Lappin have appealed for help to catch Joseph's killers

Mr Naylor said detectives had received a significant amount of information from the community to build up a picture of what happened on the night of the attack.

"The net is closing in and it would be better for you to come forward now if you were in that group and know who is responsible," he added.

Joseph, from Old Swan, was with two friends when he was attacked after his first visit to the club.

A 17-year-old was stabbed twice during the incident and police said he was lucky to be alive. The other boy sustained minor injuries.

Two boys, aged 14 and 15, a 20-year-old man from Vauxhall, a 19-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy, both from Kirkdale, have been questioned on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.

Two other teenagers, whose ages were not given, who were arrested close to the murder scene, were released on bail last week.