Man jailed for life for murder of Matthew Daulby in Ormskirk

Appearing in the dock at Preston Crown Court, Henry Houghton was told he will have to serve a minimum of 20 years before he is considered for parole.

Henry Houghton (Image: Lancs Police)

Following the sentence, which was passed today (Friday, March 15), Matthew’s dad Gary Daulby said: “Losing Matthew in these circumstances is incomprehensible.

“The yearning to see Matthew again is overwhelming. Not seeing him grow up, pass his driving test, get his first house, get married, have children.

"This has all been taken away from Matthew and us as a family.

“We are tortured on a daily basis by what happened to Matthew on that fateful night.

“It is not natural to outlive your child.

“Matthew had so much excitement for his future. He was looking forward to starting management course at college, going on his holidays, family events and doing all the things that teenagers do.

“He was robbed of his life and we were robbed of ours. And all because Henry Houghton chose to arm himself with a deadly weapon and use it in such a devastating way.

“Matthew was not armed and didn’t stand a chance.

“There is a small comfort in the fact that Henry Houghton has been sent to prison for a very long time. We have also been given a life sentence of grief.”

Matthew Daulby (Image: Lancs Police)

Police attended Railway Road in Ormskirk at 12.05am on July 29 last year, after receiving reports of an ongoing disturbance.

Nineteen-year-old Matthew was found a short distance away with stab injuries. Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, Matthew died later in hospital.

Enquiries found that Matthew suffered the fatal wound, as well as other injuries, during an altercation involving a number of individuals in the early hours of July 29.

Among those injuries was a wound to the left side of his forehead. This injury resulted from being struck to the head by Houghton with a makeshift weapon. This comprised of a tied up sock containing a rock.

Such was the force of the blow, it caused damage to Matthew’s brain and likely disorientated him around the time he sustained the fatal stab wound.

It was the prosecution’s case that although he didn’t deliver the fatal blow to Matthew, Houghton assisted in his murder and had a shared intention to cause really serious harm or to kill.

That view was shared by a jury at Preston Crown Court who unanimously convicted Houghton, 19, of Barrison Green, Scarisbrick, following a four-week trial.

Police still want to speak to 20-year-old Thomas Dures (Image: Lancs Police)

A 20-year-old man from Ormskirk was found not guilty of Matthew’s murder.

DCI Andy Fallows, of the Force Major Investigation Team, said: “As a result of his senseless and violent actions, Henry Houghton played a significant role in Matthew losing his life. Those actions have resulted in Matthew and his loved ones being robbed of the opportunity to make memories together.

“I hope this conviction and life sentence gives Matthew’s family some comfort, knowing that Houghton has been held accountable for his actions.

“We still want to speak to 20-year-old Thomas Dures as part of our ongoing enquiries. I want to appeal to anyone with any information on his whereabouts to either get in contact with the police or Crimestoppers, who continue to offer a £10,000 reward for any information which leads to his arrest.”

Gary Daulby added: “We are very thankful for all the support we have received from our very close family and Lancashire Police.

“Finally, we appeal to anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Thomas Dures to either get in contact with the police or Crimestoppers, who continue to offer a £10,000 reward for any information which leads to his arrest.”

Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Thomas Dures should call 101 and quote log 1007 of July 29 2023. For immediate sightings call 999.

Alternatively, call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.