Sunderland man jailed for manslaughter of teen as police investigation "remains open"
20 year old Louis Hackett was sentenced to 5 years in prison
Last updated 27th Mar 2023
A Sunderland man will spend the next 5 years in prison, after being sentenced for the manslaughter of a teenager last year.
Kieran Williams, 18, was reported as missing to police after he failed to return to his Esplanade West home.
A missing person investigation was launched, and when he continued to remain unaccounted for an appeal was issued to the public in a bid to help locate him.
Extensive CCTV and house-to-house enquiries were carried out, leading officers to later arrest Ben Cook and Louis Hackett (pictured) in connection with his disappearance.
After continued appeals and efforts to locate him, Kieran’s body was sadly found in a grave on a disused industrial estate South of the River Wear, where he had suffered injuries consistent with being stabbed.
Forensic enquiries at the scene revealed fingerprints, and soon led detectives back to Cook and Hackett who were arrested and later charged with Kieran’s murder.
Last month, Hackett - 20 - of Fordenbridge Square, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced today to 5 years in prison at Newcastle Crown Court.
Ben Cook, 19, of Fordfield Road, Sunderland, was cleared of murder following the trial.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Steel, of Northumbria Police, said:
“Our thoughts continue to be with Kieran’s family and loved ones following their loss.
"This is a truly tragic case in which a family have been left completely devastated and we will continue to support them wherever we can.
"We want to make it clear that violence of any kind is completely unacceptable – and is never the answer.
"When incidents do occur we are committed to doing all we can to bring those responsible to justice by putting them before the court.
“We can confirm this remains an open investigation and we are actively pursuing a number of lines of enquiry, and we will also continue to act on any new information which comes forward.”