THE devastated parents of Ryan Passey, who was stabbed and killed in Chicago’s in Stourbridge, have told how they will never get over the loss of their beloved “football mad” son after his teenaged killer Kobe Murray walked free from court yesterday (Tuesday) - cleared of any wrong-doing.

Murray, aged 19, from The Broadway, Dudley, was found not guilty of murder or manslaughter after a seven-day trial at Birmingham Crown Court – despite having told a packed courtroom that he had “stabbed out” as punches were thrown during a bar fight in the town nightspot on August 6 last year.

Mum Gillian Taylor said: "Throughout the court case we have had to listen to how our son was killed - it has been heart-breaking knowing our son was killed over nothing.

"It was just a mindless act by a stupid young man who throughout this whole case has shown no remorse for what he has done.

"We do not blame anyone else for the murder of Ryan, there was only one person who killed him.

"Nothing will ever bring our son back.

"Knife crime should be taken seriously and warrant a serious prison sentence.

"Losing our son is the worst pain a parent can ever experience."

Stourbridge News:

Ryan's mum Gillian Taylor and dad Adrian Passey pictured as they laid a wreath on the pitch at Stourbridge FC a week after his tragic death at Chicago's on August 6. Image courtesy of Andrew Roper

Ryan's dad Adrian Passey said his heart was "ripped apart" when he lost his only son in a "senseless act of violence".

He said: "Words will never be able to describe my pain - a pain that will never ease. I will never share his life journey, his wedding, his children - my grandchildren.

"Every day I struggle to get up and have to try and put a smile on my face to get through another day, when sometimes all I want is to be with my boy as he was my world.

"Ryan touched so many people's lives. He was known for his infectious smile, his love of life and his love for his family and friends, and playing football. He was football mad.

"It breaks my heart every week when I go to support his football team, knowing that Ryan will not be coming off the pitch with all his mates at the end of the game.

"Ryan was kind, caring and considerate to everyone he knew. He was making his way in life, working hard with his own window cleaning business.

"He did not deserve to lose his life so tragically. My life has been changed forever.

"I feel the heartbreak of losing my son every second of every day. I miss him.

"My days are dark, cold and sad. Nothing can ease my pain. No parent should ever have to feel this pain.

"Another young life lost to knife crime. The law needs to be tougher."

West Midlands Police Detective Inspector Caroline Corfield, from Force CID, urged anyone who suspects someone of carrying a knife in public – or anyone who has concerns relating to knife crime in their community - to contact police on 101.

Stourbridge News:

DI Corfield (pictured above) also urged anyone who has carried a knife to surrender it to police. She said: “We often hear people carry knives for protection - but that is a total fallacy.

“If you carry a knife you are likely to use it and will cause death or serious injury. Murray didn’t go out with the intention of killing anyone - but he was armed with a knife - and he did.”

She said the force continues to work to deter people from carrying knives with its Precious Lives campaign and added: “More than 100,000 school pupils have seen the hard-hitting presentation which is designed to steer them away from knife crime.

“Officers also regularly carry out enforcement operations, reminding retailers of their legal responsibilities around selling knives.”