Essex stabbing: Teenager dies after two knifed outside village pub

Police arrest four men on suspicion of murder as victim named locally as 19-year-old

Tributes left near the scene of a stabbing where a man, named locally as Liam Taylor, 19, died after being knifed outside the Rose and Crown pub in Writtle, Essex, on Friday, 31 January, 2020. (Victoria Jones/PA)

A teenager has died in a double stabbing outside a village pub.

Two men were knifed during an attack outside the Rose and Crown pub in Writtle, Essex, on Friday night.

One of the men, named locally as 19-year-old Liam Taylor, died at the scene on The Green while the other was taken to hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Essex Police have arrested four men on suspicion of murder. They remain in custody and continue to be questioned.

More than 50 people, including his mother Michelle Taylor, arrived to lay flowers and release balloons in tribute to Mr Taylor near the scene on Saturday morning.

A procession and prayer was led by a local vicar before well wishers took part in a minute’s silence.

Connor Wise, 21, and Georgia Wicks, 19, from the nearby village of Great Baddow, said they received a call from a friend on Friday night about Mr Taylor’s death.

Mr Wise, who said he had known Mr Taylor for four years, said: “He was a lovely and caring guy, I would hang out with him in town.”

A tearful Ms Wicks, who said she dated Mr Taylor two years ago, added: “It’s so shocking, I used to work with his grandmother at St Peter’s Hospital in Maldon.”

A police cordon remains at the scene, with parts of The Green closed to traffic.

One officer said police were searching the area throughout the night.

A mother who lives a short distance away from the Rose and Crown said: “It’s horrendous, there was a lot of commotion down here last night.

“It’s really sad, it’s a lovely village and a family-run pub.”

An 85-year-old woman, who did not want to be named, said serious incidents were rare in Writtle.

She said: “I’ve lived here for 40 years and nothing like this ever happens. It’s such a quiet place.”

Another 81-year-old dog walker, who lives five minutes away from the pub, said: “It’s a shame it happened at that lovely little pub; the owners must be devastated.”

A number of shops along The Green have closed for the day, including the Village Pharmacy.

Anyone with information is asked to phone police 101 and quote incident 1107 of Friday 31 January or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Additional reporting by Press Association