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Liam Taylor death: Three men jailed for Writtle murder

Essex Police Ryan Filby, Daniel Daden and Louis ColgateEssex Police
From left to right, Ryan Filby, Daniel Daden and Louis Colgate were given life sentences for killing Liam Taylor

Three men have been jailed for life for murdering a teenager who was stabbed to death outside a village pub.

Liam Taylor, 19, died in an attack outside the Rose and Crown in Writtle, Essex, on 31 January 2020.

Ryan Filby, 22, of Chelmsford, and Daniel Daden, 20, formerly of Witham, were convicted of murder and wounding with intent. Louis Colgate, 19, also from Chelmsford, admitted murder.

Judge Charles Gratwicke described the killing as "callous and brutal".

Chelmsford Crown Court heard Mr Taylor and his 19-year-old friend were smoking outside the pub when the men jumped out of a car and attacked them.

Mr Taylor died at the scene from multiple stab wounds and his friend needed surgery for a stab wound to his leg.

Essex Police Liam TaylorEssex Police
Liam Taylor died after being stabbed in the village near Chelmsford

The attack was thought to be in retaliation to an incident earlier that evening.

Essex Police said the court was told Filby, of Evelyn Park, had been beaten by two people with a pole outside his home.

Detectives said that although the defendants and the victims were known to each other, neither Mr Taylor nor his friend were involved in the assault on Filby.

Filby and Daden, of Bramble Road, were convicted of murder and wounding with intent at a trial in May, and have been told they must serve minimum terms of 21 years.

Colgate, of Aldridge Close, who was 17 at the time of the attack and admitted murder in January, was told he must serve at least 16 and a half years in jail.

PA Media Vigil at stabbing location, WrittlePA Media
More than 50 people, including Liam Taylor's mother Michelle, gathered outside the Rose and Crown following the death

In mitigation, it was heard Colgate had shown "contrition and regret" with his guilty plea.

It was heard Filby was "immature" but "despite appearances had shown some empathy and compassion", and Daden was an "immature young man with some difficulties".

PA Media Floral tributes outside the pubPA Media
Flowers and balloons were left outside the pub where Mr Taylor died

During the sentencing hearing, Mr Taylor's grandmother Julie Taylor said in a statement her "entire family are heartbroken".

She described her grandson, who they called Fish, as a "kind and loving boy who was always smiling and lit up the room when he entered it".

She said their lives had "changed forever" and no sentence would bring their "darling boy" back.

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