Police search for man in Spain, in connection with Lancashire murder
19-year-old Matthew Daulby was stabbed to death in Ormskirk more than a year ago
Detectives investigating the murder of a teenager in Ormskirk have widened the search for a man they want to speak to, to Spain.
19-year-old Matthew Daulby was stabbed to death during a reported disturbance on 19th July 2023.
Since then, Henry Houghton, also 19, was jailed for life after being found guilty of murder.
However, officers have also been searching for Thomas Dures, who's recently turned 21, as part of their investigation.
A £20,000 reward is available in return for "information leading to the arrest of Thomas Dures," with £10,000 from Crimestoppers and £10,000 from Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner.
DCI Andy Fallows, from Lancashire Police's Force Major Investigation Team, encouraged Thomas Dures to "hand himself in."
"It has now been over 12 months since Matthew’s murder and although one man has been found guilty, his family’s wait for justice goes on.
"Thomas Dures has known that my officers have wanted to speak to him for some time and while Matthew’s family continue to search for answers about what happened that night. Dures is out there and knows we want to speak to him."
DCI Fallows added: "I am asking for the public in Spain to get in contact with Crimestoppers if they see Dures or have information on his whereabouts. I want to make it clear, that unusually the public only need to provide information that leads to Dures’ arrest."
"Why did this happen?"
Matthew's parents Angela and Gary said: "Matthew was tragically taken from us on 29th July – the victim of a knife crime. To lose Matthew in these circumstances is incomprehensible and something that we just can’t fathom and work out.
"We ask ourselves every day; ‘why?’. Why did this happen? Matthew left the house after a normal Friday night evening meal with his girlfriend - excited to go on his holiday – and didn’t come home. And we still don’t know why.
"We really need the public’s help to find Thomas Dures. Someone out there will know where he is. We’re just stuck in limbo as a family. We urge someone out there please, please help our family to locate Thomas Dures. We can then try to adapt to our new life without Matthew."
"Known links to Spain"
Neil Keeping, NCA Regional Manager in Spain, said: "Dures has known links to Spain and could be living anywhere in the country. We are therefore appealing to people who reside in Spain and visiting holidaymakers to come forward with any information relating to his whereabouts.
"It has been over a year since Matthew Daulby’s life was taken in tragic circumstances, and we are actively working with our partners here in Spain to locate Dures, who may be able to assist Lancashire Police detectives with their ongoing investigation."
Gary Murray, North West Regional Manager at the charity Crimestoppers, said: "We know it can be difficult to give information directly to the police, especially when it involves dangerous criminals.
"This is why Crimestoppers exists as we guarantee you stay 100% anonymous when you pass on what you know. We are here 24/7 via our website or by calling our UK Contact Centre on 0800 555 111. For anyone in Spain who knows of Thomas Dures whereabouts, please contact Crimestoppers via our website Crimestoppers-uk.org."