A teenager has been found not guilty of the murder of sports coach Antoin Akpom.
Abdul Hakim (19), of Wood Hill, Spinney Hills, Leicester, was cleared of the charge at Nottingham Crown Court earlier today.
The jury failed to reach a verdict on an alternative charge of manslaughter.
Mr Akpom, 20, was stabbed in the back by Hussain Hussain, who has already been found guilty of murder, in a confrontation in Highfields, Leicester, shortly before 5.30pm on Thursday, September 12.
Hussain (20), of no fixed abode, was jailed after a trial earlier this year.
Prosecutors had claimed the stabbing was a "joint enterprise" with Hakim.
But he was found not guilty of murder after jurors were directed to give a majority verdict.
In a statement given after yesterday's hearing, James Allen, head of the Crown Prosecution Service's East Midlands Complex Casework Unit, paid tribute to Mr Akpom's family. "I would like to pay tribute to Antoin Akpom's mother and family who have displayed fortitude and courage in seeking justice for Antoin," he said. "It is clear that Antoin Akpom was a young man who gave much to the local community and cared passionately about the benefits of sport and education.
"Antoin Akpom's murder in September last year is a tragedy for the local community, his friends and his family. I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere condolences to Antoin's family and friends."
