AN inquest is expected to take place into the death of stabbing victim Ryan Lamb after the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed there is insufficient evidence to continue a criminal case.

Ryan, aged 20 and from Sutton, died from a stab wound earlier this year after an incident at land off Liverpool Street, Greenbank on April 23.

The CPS say there is currently insufficient evidence to charge three suspects who were arrested in connection with Ryan’s death.

The 18-year-old man from Liverpool and a 17-year-old boy from Rainhill, who were held on suspicion of attempted murder, as well as a 21-year-old man, from Huyton, who was questioned on suspicion of assault, will face no further action.

John Dilworth, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor of Mersey-Cheshire Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Merseyside Police brought a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for charging advice following the death of Ryan Lamb in St Helens on April 23 2017.

“The evidence shows that a physical dispute had taken place between three men in an area not covered by CCTV. Each of them sustained injuries. At present there are no other witnesses. What happened after that cannot not be established by admissible evidence and is the subject of pure conjecture.

“At the present time, there is insufficient evidence to charge any of the suspects with a criminal offence.

“It is not the function of the CPS to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but to make fair, independent and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges for the criminal court to consider.

“The CPS assessment of any case is not in any sense a finding of, or implication of, any guilt or criminal conduct.  It is not a finding of fact, which can only be made by a court, but rather an assessment of what it might be possible to prove to a court, in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

“CPS prosecutors must also keep every case under review, so that they take account of any change in circumstances that occurs as the case develops, including what becomes known of the defence case. If appropriate, the CPS may change the charges or stop a case.”

When no criminal prosecutions are brought, it is usual procedure for the case to be referred back to the coroner for an inquest.

A spokesman for coroner’s office at Whiston Hospital said it is waiting on further information from police before deciding when inquest proceedings will resume.