Murdered Walsall teenager is named

A 16-year-old boy from Walsall was stabbed to death following an 18th birthday party in the Black Country.

The teenager, who has today been named as Ben Morutare, was found stabbed at the car park of the Asra day centre in Smethwick at 1.30am Saturday.

He had been at a celebration at the Smethwick Home Guard & Old Comrades Club, opposite where he was found.

Ben died from a stab injury to his leg at Birmingham Children's Hospital. It is believed the victim attended Alumwell Business and Enterprise College, Walsall.

Police have confirmed they were called out to the premises just 45 minutes before the victim was found, when witnesses described two people swearing at each other outside.

When officers returned to a second call later, after bar staff called last orders and were locking up, they found the murder victim injured opposite.

Det Insp Gary Plant said today: "Early inquiries are showing there were two calls to attend the Old Comrades Club, one at 12.45am when officers spoke to door staff who said the issue was resolved. The second was when the young man lost his life.

"Officers were at the scene almost immediately because they were close by."

• For more on this story, see today’s Express & Star.