Boy can be a 'witness' to murder

Alan Corney died three months after the attack

Police hunting two boys over an attack which lead to a Wirral man's death have promised if one of the pair comes forward he will not face prosecution.

Alan Corney, 67, challenged the youths about their bad behaviour on The Parade in Parkgate on 14 November 2008 when he was head-butted by one of them.

He was treated at hospital but was re-admitted after collapsing at home and died three months later on 6 February.

Police said the youth will be "treated as a witness" if he comes forward.

Two 14-year-old boys have previously been interviewed under caution and enquiries are ongoing.

Det Chief Inspector Andy Smith from Cheshire Police says if the youth who did not attack Mr Corney fails to tell officers what happened then he could be facing a murder charge.

Mr Smith added: "It is very difficult he has to think of himself and the Corney family.

"If he doesn't come forward and makes us come and find him, and we will find him, then it will have serious consequences for the rest of his life.

"If he approaches us and tells us what happened then he will treat him as a witnesses and those consequences will not be there."

The Cheshire force said Mr Corney, who was from Parkgate, was attacked just before 2100 GMT.

Moments before he had been walking with his wife, Norma, along the banks of the River Dee.

The couple have a daughter Alex and son Michael.

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