Mother makes plea over killing

Lucy was a "bright and popular girl"

The mother of a young woman who was stabbed repeatedly as she lay dying has made a plea to find her daughter's killer.

Lesley Royle spoke out publicly for the first time since her daughter Lucy was murdered on Good Friday this year.

On Wednesday, Mrs Royle told a press conference her daughter's killer "does not deserve to walk the streets".

Miss Royle's body was discovered in a field close to the Trafford Centre, Manchester, on Saturday 19 April by a man walking a dog.

The 21-year-old had suffered fatal head injuries, before being stabbed several times in the back by someone police believe may have known her.

At the press conference, organised by Greater Manchester Police, Mrs Royle said: "Whoever was responsible for snuffing out her young life does not deserve to walk the streets.

I don't think [Lucy] wanted to go out but she rolled her eyes in resignation and left

Lesley Royle

"I beg anyone who knows anything to please come forward now."

She said Lucy had not been feeling very well, shortly before she left the family home, in Jura Drive, Davyhulme.

"Lucy had suffered a migraine and was not at her best. We have an electronic device to ease her headaches and I put it on her neck.

"That was the last time I ever touched her.

"She took a call and I don't think she wanted to go out but she rolled her eyes in resignation and left."

Lucy's distinctive Nokia phone has not been found

A 21-year-old man from Davyhulme who was arrested in connection with the murder is currently on police bail.

Detectives are appealing for information about a possible sighting of Lucy on the night she died.

A witness believes she saw Lucy standing near a telephone box at the junction of Shetland Way and Benbecula Way in Davyhulme at about 2130 GMT.

Officers also want to speak to a man seen standing at the telephone box, as well as the driver of a green Toyota Yaris seen on Barton Embankment on Friday 18 April.

'Worst injuries'

Detective Superintendent Peter Minshall said: "Lucy was viciously attacked, and suffered what are the worst head injuries I have ever seen in my career as a police officer.

"Then, as she lay dying on the ground, her attacker repeatedly stabbed her."

Lucy was last seen wearing black trousers, a dark blue fleece and white and light blue Nike trainers.

She was carrying a small black leather rucksack and a mobile phone, neither of which have been recovered.