THE family of Danny Fox say they feel "let down" by "failings in the justice system" after a jury failed to reach a verdict in the retrial of the man accused of murdering the former children's care worker.

Danny's family and friends gathered for a peaceful demonstration outside Liverpool Crown Court this morning (Friday).

Leighton Holt, 21, of Custley Hey, Stockbridge Village, walked free from the court after a formal not guilty verdict in a retrial following a second hung jury.

Holt slashed Danny in the neck with a butterfly knife, inflicting a fatal wound. 

However, he said he was acting in self-defence.

The family of Danny has said they will be contacting St Helens South and Whiston MP Marie Rimmer in the hope she will take up their case in Parliament.

Outside the court, Danny's aunt Dawn Jones said: "We, the family of Daniel Fox, feel bitterly disappointed and let down with the outcome of the past two trials.

"We cannot comprehend how to sets of jurors could not reach a verdict over the killing of our precious son and nephew Daniel.

"We feel let down by what we see is failings in the justice system.

"We are considering our options as to what further action can be undertaken.

"We are also focusing our efforts over this in a positive way by starting a campaign to highlight knife crimes in our communities. No more knife crime.

Dawn added: "We would like to thank Merseyside Police, in particular Detective Chief Inspector Chris Sephton and his team and family liaison officer Detective Constable Chris Haselden at St Helens for their hard work and continued support throughout this ordeal.

"Looking forward, we hope to prevent other families going through this horrendous nightmare and the life sentence that we are now living, without our much loved beautiful son and nephew Daniel.

"Danny didn't deserve to die.

"Thank you to everyone for all your continued support and everybody in St Helens and beyond."

Meanwhile, a vigil in support of the family will also take place on Friday in Victoria Square.

It is scheduled to take place from 6pm until 7pm and people are being asked to bring candles and lights.