Family plea not to carry knives

James was stabbed to death in St Peter Port last September

A father is warning young people in Guernsey not to carry knives after his son was murdered.

James Christopher Dean, 21, was stabbed to death in September last year.

His father, Christopher Dean, made an emotional plea outside the Royal court last week after Craig Rouget, of St Sampsons was jailed for life.

Guernsey Police are welcoming the family's appeal against carrying knives and are hoping a positive message will come out of the death.

During the trial the court heard how Rouget started carrying a knife three months before the incident in St Peter Port, for what he called "protection".

People suspected of carrying a knife will be stopped and searched by police Geoff Mahy, Home Minister

Det Ch Insp Peter Dowding says the island does not have a knife culture.

"Knives are readily available, as are firearms - they alone don't kill, they need a user. We need to target the carriers," he added.

Meanwhile, the States Home Minister Geoff Mahy has indicated, anyone suspected of carrying a knife will be stopped and searched by police.

He said: "Walking through town with a knife in your pocket for no other reason but supposedly to defend yourself then that is just not acceptable."