Five released in cadet murder probe

4:30am Saturday 25th October 2008

Five people questioned on suspicion of murdering a teenage army cadet have been released on bail.

Joseph Lappin, 16, of Old Swan, Liverpool, was knifed in the heart outside a youth club after being chased by a gang.

A 16-year-old youth from Kirkdale, a 20-year-old man from the Vauxhall area, a 19-year-old man from the Kirkdale area and two youths aged 14 and 15 were held in connection with his death.

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: "The five people who were arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder in relation to the Joseph Lappin case have been bailed pending further inquiries."

The senior officer leading the investigation, Detective Superintendent Steve Naylor, said: "Inquiries are ongoing into Joseph's murder and I would like to thank the local community for the information that they have given to the inquiry team.

"I would ask that they continue to talk to officers and would encourage anyone who has not come forward to do so."

Joseph was attacked with two friends outside the Shrewsbury House Youth Club in Everton on Monday night.

Callum Naden, 17, was stabbed twice during the incident and police said he was lucky to be alive. The other boy sustained minor injuries.

Joseph's parents, John, 45, and Toni, 44, made an emotional plea to the killers of their son to turn themselves in earlier this week.

Detectives are continuing to study CCTV footage to discover the movements of the gang of up to 15 youths in the moments before and after the stabbings.