Matthew Daulby (left), 19, was excited to start a college course before he was murdered. Henry Houghton (right) has been jailed for his role in Matthew’s death (Picture: Lancashire Police/SWNS)
A teen has been jailed for murder after smashing the head of a 19-year-old so hard it would have caused brain damage.
Henry Houghton’s actions during a mass street disturbance would have likely left Matthew Daulby disorientated just before he was stabbed to death, a court heard.
Although Houghton didn’t inflict the killing blow on July 29 last year, he has been handed a minimum 20-year jail sentence for his part in the murder.
Speaking after Houghton’s sentencing, Matthew’s dad Gary said the family had been handed ‘a life sentence of grief’ when losing a son with ‘so much excitement’.
He said: ‘Losing Matthew in these circumstances is incomprehensible. The yearning to see Matthew again is overwhelming.
Gary Daulby mourned the death of his son Matthew, 19 (Picture: SWNS)
‘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.’
Police are still searching for Thomas Dures, 20, who is wanted in connection with Matthew Daulby’s death (Picture: Lancashire Police / SWNS)
Police found Matthew, 19, with stab wounds a short distance from an incident they had been called to on Railway Road in Ormskirk, Lancashire at 12.05am.
Emergency services tried to save his life, but he died in hospital.
Houghton was later found to have hit Matthew over the head with a rock tied up in a sock.
The blow left Matthew with a lacerated wound to the left side of his forehead.
Although Houghton wasn’t the one to inflict the fatal stab wound, prosecutors said he assisted in the murder and shared the intention of causing really serious harm or to kill.
The jury agreed with that argument when it unanimously convicted Houghton of murder after a four-week trial at Preston Crown Court on Friday.
Following the case, DCI Andy Fallows, of Lancashire Police’s Major Investigation Team, said he hoped the sentencing gave Matthew’s family closure.
Henry Houghton, 19, smirking in his mugshot (Picture: Lancashire Police / SWNS)
He also appealed for help locating Thomas Dures, 20, who is also wanted in connection with the killing.
There is a £10,000 reward for any information leading to Dures’ arrest.
DCI Fallows 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.’
Matthew’s dad Gary echoed this, saying: ‘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.’
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