youth killed in Nottingham 'burglary', was innocent says family

The family of a teenager who was stabbed to death during a suspected burglary pleaded his innocence last night.

Tyler Juett, 17, is believed to have been fatally wounded as he broke into a home in Old Basford, Nottingham, on Friday. His family said that nobody had provided proof that he had been breaking into the property when the incident took place. Leah Juett, Tyler’s aunt, said: “We don’t want to say too much yet but all we will say for now is that people make things up.”

Police have arrested two men in their early twenties and are treating the incident as murder.

The stabbing took place two days after a man who shot an intruder in his Kent home was cleared of murder. Kenneth Batchelor, 51, fired a shotgun at Matthew Clements, 42, at point blank range at his home in Chilham but was acquitted by a jury at Maidstone Crown Court.

Tyler, of Aspley, Nottingham, was taken to hospital from the home of Jacqueline Johnson, 46. It was her semi-detached house that neighbours say he was trying to burgle. Detectives were yesterday granted extra time to question a 22-year-old man. A 21-year-old man was released without charge. Four youths suspected of having links to Tyler were also arrested. Police released one on bail but were continuing to question the other three last night.

Police confirmed that officers responded initially to reports of a disturbance but were now treating the incident as a murder.

Chief Inspector Matthew McFarlane, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We have been doing house-to-house inquiries and have started our forensic analysis of the address. What we want to do is get all the information we can — so if anyone does have any information they should get in touch with us.”

Friends of Tyler set up a tribute website entitled “RIP Tyler — a Bulwell solja”. Bulwell is a nearby suburb. One dedication read: “I just found out! What a silly boy! What goes around comes around! RIP.”

Michelle Juett, Tyler’s mother, wrote on Facebook, the social networking site: “Why, why, why, why, why? I want my baby back.” She also thanked people who had contributed to the site. “Thank you to everyone who has posted messages for our beautiful son Tyler,” she wrote. “It’s nice to know he was loved by all of you.”

Chris Juett, Tyler’s uncle, said that he wished his nephew had chosen a different path. “The boy was such a talented footballer. God bless him.”

Neighbours living near the scene of the killing said the area had suffered a number of recent burglaries and householders were on edge.

Richard Watson, 45, who lives next door, said: “Whatever has happened, it’s a real shame, but the lad shouldn’t have been there. The people who live there are a lovely couple and very good neighbours. We look out for each other. It’s a tragedy for everyone involved.”

Faisal Kahn, 33, a computer technician, who was burgled six weeks ago, said someone had broken a window at the back of his house but the thieves were scared away by an alarm.

“We don’t know exactly what happened this time but I just feel very sorry. They are a lovely family and were very sympathetic about my break-in.”

One young mother, who did not want to be named, said: “It’s not a bad area but there has been a spate of burglaries lately. People have been tense and a bit on edge. They’re fed up with crime and the people responsible — now this is what it has come to.”