THE mother of a schoolboy, who was fatally stabbed at a house party, has paid tribute to her “caring” son who she said had been trying to protect his friend.

17-year-old Jay Whiston from Clacton was stabbed in the stomach outside a house in Marlowe Way, Lexden, around 10pm on Saturday.

The A-level student, who was studying law and business studies at Tendring Technology College, was planning to go to university next year.

His heartbroken mother Caroline Shearer said her son had been trying to protect a friend when he was stabbed.

Ms Shearer, 46, said: “It’s any mother’s worst nightmare. He was loved by everyone and so caring.

“My son had never been in trouble with the police before. He hated bullies and hated people being unfair.

“I still feel numb but I’m starting to feel angry now. How can thugs ruin innocent lives at their will? There’s no rhyme or reason to it.”

His grandfather David Whiston, 71, of Little Clacton, added: “He was a wonderful boy. He loved us and we loved him to bits.”

A 17-year-old boy and two 18-year-old men from Colchester have been arrested on suspicion of murder. Last night they were being questioned at separate police stations in north Essex.

Detectives said every teenager at the party was potentially a key witness.

Reports have suggested it had been gatecrashed after being advertised on Facebook.

A teenager, who was at the party but asked not to be named, said there was about 250 people at the party.

The sixth-form student at North Hill College, Colchester, said: “It was an end of summer party and there was a lot of people there. I reckon around 250 people must have come through the party during the evening and a lot hadn’t been invited.”

He said the incident happened on the road outside and added: “We heard that Jay had been stabbed.

“A paramedic’s car turned up and then two more police cars and another paramedic.

“It was horrible and I haven’t slept all night. You read about these things but you don’t expect it in a place like Lexden. Nothing happens here.”

Jay, from Aster Close, Clacton, died shortly after being rushed to Colchester General Hospital.

A provisional post-mortem examination result showed that Jay died from a stab wound.

DCI Simon Parkes, senior investigating officer from Essex Police, said: “This murder took place in an affluent area of Colchester and at a house party which had a garden that could cater for the 100 or so teenagers that were present.

“Although we don’t yet know the details of what went on, we’re slowly piecing together the sequence of events that led to this boy’s death.

“We’re speaking to those who were at the party, but we’re mindful that there may have been others who left either before the stabbing or in the immediate aftermath before we arrived. Everyone at this party is a key witness whether they saw anything or not and we would urge them to contact us. Our thoughts are very much also with this boy’s family. They are being supported by our family liaison officers.”

A neighbour, Marie Partner, who had lived in the street for nine years, said a woman and her teenage daughter, who were hosting the party, had spoken to neighbours to apologise in advance for any extra noise.

Ms Partner said: “The mother and daughter took it upon themselves to tell the neighbours there was a party taking place and to apologise in advance if there was slightly more noise than normal.

“It’s so sad. The first I knew about it was seeing the police arrive and the area being cordoned off.”

A man who laid a floral tribute outside the home yesterday afternoon said: “I picked my daughter up from the party at the end of the road and she just fell into my arms. It’s shocking for any young person to have seen that.

Tributes to Jay have been posted on Twitter, while cards of condolences could be seen among bunches of flowers that had been left yesterday on the grass verge opposite where the party was held.

One card read: ”You were a great guy, friend and colleague. You will be dearly missed.”

Another simply said: “May the Angels be with you.”

Anyone with information in connection with this death is urged to contact detectives at Colchester’s Major Investigation Team on 101, email them on SCDappeals@essex.pnn.police.uk or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.