Fresh appeal over cadet's murder

Joseph Lappin was stabbed in the heart

The grandmother of a 16-year-old Army cadet stabbed to death in Liverpool has pleaded for the killers to come forward and "end our anguish".

Joseph Lappin, from Old Swan, died after being chased and stabbed by a gang near a youth club in Everton on 20 October 2008.

Florence Lappin said: "Someone must know something. You can't just stab someone and keep it inside."

Police arrested 13 youths on suspicion of murder. They have since been bailed.

Joseph's friend, Callum Naden, 17, was also stabbed but survived the attack.

A third boy sustained minor injuries.

The pain and loss gets worse everyday Florence Lappin, Joseph's grandmother

Mrs Lappin, speaking on behalf of Joseph's parents, added: "The cruel, senseless way in which my grandson was murdered is beyond belief.

"To plunge a knife into someone and then run off, how can anyone do that?

"Joseph was lovely, respected, talented and cherished by all of us, the pain and loss gets worse everyday."

Joseph's grandmother renewed the appeal for information into his murder ahead of the six-month anniversary of the teenager's death.

She also called for tougher sentences for people who arm themselves with knives on the streets.