THE sister of a murdered Essex teenager has hit out at those hiding his killers from justice.

Holly Fairburn, whose brother Jay Whiston was stabbed outside a Colchester house party, said people withholding information from police were as bad as whoever struck the fatal blow.

Jay, of Aster Close, Clacton, died in hospital after being stabbed in Marlowe Way, Colchester, on September 8.

Ms Fairburn’s comments came as police made a fresh appeal for information about the murder, a day after what would have been Jay’s 18th birthday.

The 25-year-old said: “Every day is rolled into one and my whole family dynamic has changed. It’s never going to be what it was.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better brother, he was amazing. I took it for granted – you don’t realise what you have until it’s gone.”

Ms Fairburn joined Jay’s mother Caroline Shearer in making a heartfelt plea for more people to come forward with information about the incident.

“If they don’t come forward they will be as bad as the person that has done this to Jay,” she said. “If they don’t come forward they haven’t got a decent bone in their bodies.”

Mrs Shearer said: “As far as I’m concerned the people that are hiding them, they have got to live with this for the rest of their lives.

“I’d have had them by the collar and pulled them down the police station myself.”

The 47-year-old, talking about the impact of the murder, added: “People say time is a healer. I’ll tell you now it’s torture. Every breath I take it’s torture.”

Nine people have been arrested in connection with the incident. Eight are currently on police bail until March 22. The ninth person – a 17-year-old boy – was released from police bail on Monday and told he faced no further action.

Detective chief inspector Simon Parkes, who is leading the murder investigation for Essex Police, said: “I have no doubt there are those that are close to the attacker or attackers who have got information which is really key for us.

“The people involved I believe are in their late teens, early 20s, and I think it’s people within their own social group that are protecting them.

“I’d urge them to look at any misplaced loyalty and think what they would want if it was their brother or their friends who were the ones fatally stabbed.”

DCI Parkes said he was keen to trace the murder weapon and a red River Island t-shirt, which is the only piece of clothing police have not accounted for.

If you can help police call 01206 576845.