THE campaign for justice for Ryan Passey, who was fatally stabbed in a Stourbridge nightspot, has taken “another huge step forward” following a productive first meeting with the police force that is to review the case.

Relatives of Ryan, aged 24, from Quarry Bank, who died after being knifed in the old Chicago’s bar in August 2017, have now met with detectives from West Yorkshire Police.

The force is reviewing the case, initially investigated by West Midlands Police, after calls from the family who have been fighting for justice since murder accused Kobe Murray, from Dudley, was acquitted after a trial in February 2018 despite admitting he’d ‘stabbed out’ in defence.

The family’s Justice for Ryan campaign team, however, pursued Murray, now known as Kareem Gayle, through the civil court and in November he was found responsible for Ryan’s death, under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976, with the judge awarding £10,000 in damages to Ryan’s family and ordering Murray to pay £12,000 in costs.

Stourbridge News: Ryan PasseyRyan Passey (Image: Handout)

In addition to the civil case, Ryan’s family called for a review of the original case – and whether key evidence that may have secured a conviction was overlooked.

In January it was confirmed West Yorkshire Police would take this up and on Wednesday March 9 a “positive and productive” first meeting was held between Ryan’s family and Detective Chief Inspector Sharron Kaye and Detective Inspector Damian Roebuck, from West Yorkshire Police, at West Midlands Police HQ at Lloyds House, Birmingham.

Jason Connon, Justice for Ryan spokesperson, said the detectives were “very understanding and sympathetic” to the barriers the family said they experienced in dealing with West Midlands Police and he added: “We have all come away feeling this is another huge step forward for us all and hopefully we are getting closer to finally achieving the Justice Ryan rightly deserved first time round.”