MORE than 100 people packed into Victoria Square on Friday night for an emotional show of support for the family of Danny Fox.
Earlier in the day the 29-year-old's family and friends gathered for a peaceful demonstration outside Liverpool Crown Court.
And on Friday night dozens stood outside St Helens Town Hall - many holding candles, clutching pictures and displaying signs - as Danny's aunt Dawn Jones delivered the same powerful speech that she had read outside court earlier.
The family, including Danny's mum Lynda Ashton, want to highlight what they regard as "failings in the justice system" and embark on a campaign against people carrying knives.
This week Leighton Holt, 21, of Custley Hey, Stockbridge Village, who had been accused of Danny's murder walked free from the court after a retrial jury failed to reach a verdict.
A formal not guilty verdict was declared by a judge.
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 was joined by St Helens South and Whiston MP Marie Rimmer - and St Helens councillors - who is backing their case.
Ms Rimmer, who continues to raise concerns about government cuts to police funding, told the Star she is supporting the family's campaign.
She said: "We want to make our town knife free. We don't want knives on these streets - we want to see some steps taken and some help.
"We want the community to work with the police - and get knives out of this town."
In a speech Danny's aunt Dawn Jones said: "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.
"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."
The family are planning to hold a further event on Saturday, December 9 in Victoria Square to campaign against knife crime.
There has been mounting concerns about the use of knives to inflict serious injuries across St Helens and the wider region over the past two years.
Many Star readers have voiced concerns that the outcome in court sent out the wrong message to people who go out carrying knives.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel