'I'd love to see him again, he'd be proud': Dad of man killed in nightclub reacts to landmark case
The family of a man from Brierley Hill who was killed on a night out, told ITV Central they were 'overwhelmed' to win their legal action against the man they believe was responsible for their son's death.
In an unusual move, the family of 24-year old Ryan Passey brought a civil case, after he died from a single stab wound at a nightclub in Stourbridge in 2017.
His killer was cleared of murder and manslaughter in 2018 but Ryan's family didn't accept that and now a civil court has ruled Kobe Murray must pay the family almost ten thousand pounds in damages.
His family were devastated when Murray, also known as Kareem Gayle walked free from court saying he had been acting in self defence and hadn't realised his knife had injured anyone.
Today, back outside the former nightclub Chicagos, in Stourbridge where Ryan lost his life, his Dad said winning their civil case was a massive positive.
But hearing the judge agree with them that Murray had wrongly and unlawfully killed Ryan was the best news they'd had had in years.
Family friend Jason Connon who used to coach Ryan said the support from the community has been tremendous.
The family's successful legal action comes just weeks after it was announced West Midlands police's inquiry into Ryan's death is going to be reviewed by another force.
Ryan's mum, dad and step dad travelled to Liverpool where their civil case against Murray was held. Murray, from Dudley didn't attend and no representation was made on his behalf.
His Honour Judge Gregory awarded the family almost £10,000, including aggravated damages to recognise the pain Murray inflicted and ordered him to pay more than £12,000 in court costs.
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