Parent of Norwich murder victim 'devastated' jury discharged

Emma and Phil Dix were speaking after the judge halted the four-week trial of three teens accused of killing their son, Joe, who was stabbed to death on a street in Mile Cross. 

The trial has now been put back six months until the summer.   

Mr and Mrs Dix said that their lives have been "on hold" since their son was murdered on January 28 last year.

Cameron Palmer, 18, together with Hans Beeharry, 19, and Benjamin Gil, 19, who were all charged with murder, had been on trial at Norwich Crown Court since January together with Yaman Uslu, 18, who was accused of assisting an offender.

But the jury was dramatically discharged four weeks into the case with a fresh trial being listed for July 31. For legal reasons it cannot be revealed why the trial has been stopped.

It was an agonising blow for Mr and Mrs Dix, from Salhouse, who have released the following statement to this paper.

They said: "As Joe’s parents we are devastated that the current trial has stopped and rescheduled for July.

“Our life has been on hold for the past year and will continue to be until justice is achieved.

“We have already marked the one-year anniversary of Joe's murder and were hoping that any day now we would get a verdict.

“The results of the trial will not ease our grief or bring back Joe, however, it will help us close this chapter, and move to the next stage of grieving.”

In the statement the couple also thanked others for their help since their son's death, including family and police.

They said: "With the amazing, continued support of our family and friends we are able to remain strong, united and focused.

“We would like to thank everyone for their support and to the police for the amazing job they have and continue to do.”

The trial, which started on January 4 this year, had heard prosecutors say Mr Dix was set upon shortly after leaving his flat by a group connected to the "world of drugs".

He had gone to help a friend who called to say he was being robbed.

After rushing outside and calling emergency services, his partner Lauren Carr, said "his insides were coming out" and "I just held him".

Despite receiving emergency treatment and being taken to hospital Mr Dix was pronounced dead at 8.06pm.

Gil, of Lefroy Road, Beharry, of Bracondale, and Palmer, of Theobald Road, all deny murder and Uslu, of Hornor Close, Norwich, has denied assisting an offender.